The Lagan Valley MP said the measures, believed to include changing eligibility for Personal Independence Payments and a reduction in financial support for those unable to work or look for work, would drive more people into poverty rather than employment. She has written to the Chancellor and Secretary of State on the matter.

“The idea cutting disability benefits will help people into work is absolute nonsense. Slashing support won’t create jobs or remove barriers, it’ll just push more disabled people into deep financial hardship. The Government should be tackling poverty, not making it worse.

“This approach is a false economy. Stripping away the welfare safety net without putting proper supports in place won’t just devastate vulnerable people, it will pile further pressure onto our already overstretched healthcare, primary care and social care systems. The cost of this cruelty will be felt in hospitals, GP surgeries, and crisis services for years to come.

“My colleague Sian Mulholland MLA successfully proposed last week the Assembly’s Communities Committee write to the Secretary of State to highlight Northern Ireland’s unique circumstances and why these changes would be particularly devastating here.

“We already have more people in need of disability benefits, and our health and social care system is struggling to cope. It’s beyond belief a Labour Government is even considering this.

"To add insult to injury, these changes will also pit different groups of claimants against each other – giving much-needed increases to Universal Credit for jobseekers while cutting support for sick and disabled people who physically can’t work.

“The Government must stop balancing the books on the backs of vulnerable people. Disabled people deserve dignity, security, the right support to live independently, and where possible, to work. The social security system needs to be improved to make that happen, but not with these absurd proposals no one asked for."