McCarthy criticises Labour's plans to cut disability benefit

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 15th Dec 1997

Alliance Party Spokesman on Disability Issues, Alderman Kieran McCarthy, has re stated his criticism of the Labour Governments intention to reduce benefits payable to disabled people.

Alderman McCarthy said:

"This weekend we have had further conformation that the new Government are to examine and if necessary reduce the financial allowances paid to people with disabilities. It is very easy for Tony Blair to claim that he wants disabled people in work. The reality however, is that work is often unavailable or inappropriate for many disabled people.

"The disabled must not be made scapegoats in the same way as lone parents have been in order to insure that this new Government meet the right wing commitments of the conservative government of which they were so critical when in opposition."

ENDS