Swansea's Lib Dems demand Torsten Bell and Tonia Antoniazzi vote against disability benefits cuts as rebellion brews

The Lib Dems said that the cuts would “punish some of the most vulnerable in our society” and that if Torsten and Tonia voted for them they risked “ripping away vital support for people with a disability”.

It comes as the news has been reported that more than 100 Labour MPs have privately signed a letter to Labour’s Chief Whip expressing concerns over the cuts.

Under the Labour government's plans, the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would be made stricter, and Universal Credit could also be reduced.

Liberal Democrat MPs will not be supporting the Government and Swansea's Lib Dems have urged Torsten Bell and Tonia Antoniazzi to publicly say they’re against the cuts.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Lead Senedd Candidate for Gŵyr Abertawe, Sam Bennett said:

“Torsten Bell and Tonia Antoniazzi need to do what they know is right and if given the chance, vote against these awful cuts which will punish some of the most vulnerable in our society.

"To fall in line and help push these cuts through, Torsten Bell and Tonia Atoniazzi risks ripping away vital support for people with a disability and undermining their own stated goal to get more people into work.

“People here in Swansea and Gower deserve an MP who knows what is right for people in our area and that will stand up for those who are in desperate need of support. Backing these cuts would be nodding through Government policies even in the knowledge they could be devastating.

“These cuts will punish disabled people - both those who can’t work and those who need this support to stay in work. It is time for Torsten Bell and Tonia Antoniazzi to show some backbone and commit to voting against these cuts.”