MP slams plans to charge people for benefit appeals 13/3/13
SNP MP Angus MacNeil, says he is appalled at reports that the UK Government could charge people for appealing a decision to stop their benefits.
The proposals are contained in a Department for Work and Pensions efficiency review which was leaked to the Guardian newspaper.
Officials suggest the "introduction of a charge for people making appeals against [DWP] decisions to social security tribunals."
It could see anyone who has had their benefits stopped being charged for the right to appeal – despite figures showing that 58% of appeals against DWP sanctions have been successful.
In some case people has been stripped of benefits for simple reasons such as missing an Job Centre appointment
Angus MacNeil MP said: “Welfare support issues are a major part of the correspondence I am receiving from constituents.
“The purpose of the welfare system is to support people in difficult times, whether that is in finding work, due to personal health problems or in another emergency.
“A massive percentage of benefit appeals are being upheld and that is quite simply because the UK Government’s policy on welfare is seriously wrong. It is taking support from the most vulnerable leaving people dependent on food banks and charitable support while the state turns its back.
“The very least the state should be doing is getting its decision-
“If we are a caring society then this shocking treatment of the vulnerable by the
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