Locals call for MP's resignation as he back cuts in disability benefits

All three of North Hampshire's conservative MPs have voted in favour of the government's plans to cut Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to disabled people by £30 per week. For full details see the story here

This includes local MP Kit Malthouse who claims to represent the disabled community in Enham Alamein and is patron of the Andover MS Society. As well as drawing an MP's salary he is chairman and majority shareholder of County Finance Group.

In response Donna Birch, Chair of Andover's MS Society said, "We feel sadly let down by our patron's actions. Enough stress has already been put on our members by the upheaval of the benefits system, this just adds to their worries." His decision prompted a wave of complaints on local social media and he has now been asked to resign his post

The plans would see ESA drop from £103 to £70 per week. We understand chancellor George Osborne is planning further raids on disability benefits including slashing up to £150 from Personal Independance Payments to fund a rise in the 40p tax threshold giving tax cuts to the better off. Liz Sayce, chief executive of Disability Rights UK, said: "This change is another unwelcome blow to disabled people's independence, and will impact on people's ability to work, enjoy family life and take part in the communities they live in."

This arrticle was first published on 12/3/16 and updated on 13/3/16