STEWART PATERSON

Political Correspondent

THE SNP said its MPs will fight to protect disabled people form Tory government cuts.

The party outlined a range of measures it was committed to in order to protect disabled people’s incomes and reverse damaging welfare changes.

The UK government has, the SNP says, stigmatised disabled people and removed motability vehicles from hundreds of vulnerable people.

The SNP is calling for a review of the newly created Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and is demanding the cuts to Employment Support Allowance, which hit disabled people, are reversed.

IT has branded the Tory UK government policies “cruel and callous” and rejects the means testing of disability benefits.

Eilidh Whiteford, SNP candidate in the north of Scotland, who has campaigned against disabled benefit cuts said the treatment of disabled people has been “disgusting”.

She said: “The Tory Government’s treatment of disabled people over the last few years has been absolutely disgusting – rather than look to offer people the support they need, they have sought to demonise and stigmatise some very vulnerable people just to save some money.

“The Tories should not be allowed to hide from their record in this election – and frankly we cannot go on with more cuts.”

The SNP manifesto calls on the UK government to fully engage with the assessment by the UN of the UK’s implementation of the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and urges the UK government to implement the Convention in UK law.

Ms Whiteford added: “SNP MPs will continue to stand up for the rights of disabled people against a disgraceful Tory onslaught, by calling for the reversal of benefit cuts, the end of their austerity agenda, and a review of the Personal Independence Payment scheme.”