Brian Leishman MP pledges to vote against welfare bill

Brian Leishman MP has confirmed his plans to vote no for the proposed Labour welfare bill <i>(Image: Brian Leishman MP)</i>
Brian Leishman MP has confirmed his plans to vote no for the proposed Labour welfare bill (Image: Brian Leishman MP)
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A Clackmannanshire MP has pledged to vote against his party in the proposed welfare bill.

Brian Leishman, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, has stated that he will "absolutely" oppose the cuts proposed in the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.

The Scottish Labour politician has been critical of the welfare reforms ever since the UK Government announced their plans last year, which are expected to save up to £5 billion by 2030.

Mr Leishman has expressed concerns about the impact of the major reforms on society's most vulnerable, such as the tightening of the criteria for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

He said: "I am all for people getting into work, when possible.

"However, to think that people who simply cannot work due to a disability or health condition can be incentivised to get a job is at best naive and at worst cruel.

"PIP saves lives and can stop people from falling into depression."

He is worried that the proposals will worsen the mental and physical health of many people, ultimately putting additional pressure on already underfunded health and local services.

He also believes many Labour MPs are appalled and will join him in voting against these "dire cuts."

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be affected by the changes to PIP eligibility, which are expected to account for the largest proportion of savings the government hopes to make.

Mr Leishman has previously urged the UK Government to find alternative ways to raise revenue instead of making cuts.

He suggested that an annual wealth tax of two per cent on those with assets over £10 million could raise around £24 billion each year.

He also suggested that equalising capital gains so that it is taxed at least as much as income from work could raise another £10-12 billion annually.

Mr Leishman added: "Millionaire and billionaire wealth has exploded during the pandemic while more and more people have been pushed into poverty.

"As the Labour Party, we should be looking to create a caring and compassionate society which benefits working class families.

"By improving people’s living standards, rather than balancing the books on the backs of disabled people, we could create a more equal and fairer Britain."

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