Bid to cushion blow of welfare reforms

LIBERAL Democrat councillors have urged the council to consider a report outlining ways the disabled residents of Oldham could cope with welfare reforms.

Last month Oldham became a pilot area for some of the changes, which included features of the Universal Credit scheme and the controversial bedroom tax.

In Oldham up to 17,000 residents of working age will be affected by the changes, many of whom may have a disability or poor health.

The party is hoping its document will set significant policy changes in motion and serve as a guide for reform introductions nationwide.

The 12 measures suggested in the document include ensuring local welfare provision meets the needs of the disabled and vulnerable alongside the promotion of the Disabled Band reduction scheme, which helps disabled residents with council tax bills.

It also outlines ways in which disabled tenants who “under-occupy” according to the welfare reforms, could be granted an additional bedroom if they require overnight care from non-resident carers.

Lib-Dem leader Councillor Howard Sykes, said: “Liberal Democrats in Oldham would like to see disabled people exempted from many of the provisions of welfare reform - as pensioners have been - and we will lobby the Government to make this so.

“I hope that we will have the opportunity to meet with Labour councillors, discuss the document and identify how we can take these measures forward.

“There is no point playing politics when it can have a serious negative impact on the lives of residents as these welfare reforms will have.”



COUNCILLOR Sykes has been re-elected leader of Oldham Lib-Dems, with Councillor John McCann as his deputy.