It was good to attend a packed Scope briefing on the planned disability cuts. Like its predecessors, the government has been unable to produce any evidence that cutting benefits would work on its stated terms of forcing people back into work. The evidence produced thus far suggests that they would push at least 300,000 people into poverty—including 50,000 children. They are likely to be disastrous for disabled people’s incomes and their independence.

Policy experts from Scope were keen to stress that whilst saving money for central government they will largely shift care costs onto families and local authorities, who are less-equipped to bear it. As I pointed out in an article for Politics.co.uk, there is a body of evidence which shows that a punitive approach to welfare is actually an obstacle to people engaging with back-to-work support. We need a new, more compassionate approach.