The Get Yourself Active campaign has today launched a report into the impact of the Government’s proposed benefit cuts on Disabled people’s access to physical activity. The report covers:
It covers:
- The Rising Cost of Being Physically Active
- Increased Barriers to Job Access & Retention
- Potential Impacts on the NHS
- Greater Demand for Rehabilitation & Physiotherapy
- Higher Risk of Mental ill-health and distress
- Increased Demand for Home Care & Personal Assistance
- Impact on Carers & Family Members
- Impact on Carers & Family Members
- Reduced Ability to Work Due to Worsening Health
These benefit reforms, which were initially proposed in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper, are due to be voted on in their second reading in the Commons on Tuesday 1st July.
There has already been substantial opposition within the Labour Party over these cuts, with Government Whip Vicky Foxcroft resigning over the proposals. 108 Labour MPs have tabled an amendment to the welfare reform bill, calling for a pause to the reforms. This comes alongside the staunch campaigning of Disabled activists and organisations highlighting the disastrous impact of these cuts.
Mikey Erhardt, Campaigner, Get Yourself Active said:
‘This important research highlights what we all know – these dangerous cuts are putting the health of the nation at risk. We know that throughout society, working-class people are far less likely to have the time, money or opportunity to take part in physical activity they enjoy. This means that many of us are unable to achieve the positive impact on physical, social, and mental health that even a few minutes of physical activity a week can bring.
Being active is everyone’s right, but this polling makes clear the stark implications for Disabled people and benefit claimants that would result from MPs voting through these reckless cuts. A less active nation is an unhealthier, unhappier one. The polling shows the government has no mandate for this course of action, with a huge majority of the public opposing the cuts and wanting the government to change course. We hope they listen – or that their MPs make sure they do by voting against the bill.
