750 to lose out because of allowance cut back, says MP

AROUND 750 people in North Warrington are likely to lose out as a result of Government changes to the Employment Support Allowance, according to MP Helen Jones.
The figures, provided by Macmillan, show ESA cuts are likely to be around £30-a-week – a reduction from £102.15 to £73.10, according to the Warrington North MP.
She said: “The figures, provided by Macmillan, show that a significant number of people in my constituency are going to be affected and are set to lose out on as much as £1,500 per year.
“People in the work related activity group often face significant barriers to returning to work and are likely to take longer to do so.  These proposals will only make things more difficult and represent another example of a counter-productive cut.
“It will likely increase the number of long-term unemployed and acts as a penalty for sick or disabled people who are taking steps to get back into work.
“The government are also refusing to protect limited capability for work payments within Universal Credit.
“These measures will increase poverty and make life harder for working families across the country and they come on top of £24bn of support that has already been taken from disabled people by this government.”
Macmillan define the Work Related Activity Group as individuals who are independently assessed as being too ill to work,  but who are able to take part in some work-related activity.  This is defined as activity that makes it more likely to get a job in the future when their health has improved.