A disabled woman who uses a wheelchair has issued a plea to Chancellor Rachel Reeves to "do something to help" as MPs prepare to vote on controversial benefits reforms today.
Anastasia Tempest, who has cerebral palsy and receives Personal Independence Payments and Disability Benefits, expressed deep frustration about the Government's benefits reform bill during a conversation with GB News.
"I feel very ambivalent at the moment. I've been listening to what everybody's been saying, I've been listening to the Prime Minister. I'm glad about the U-turn, but it's just very difficult," she said.
Tempest, who lives in Rachel Reeves' constituency, believes the Chancellor could make a difference.
Anastasia Tempest has cerebral palsy and receives Personal Independence Payments and disability benefits
GB NEWS
She explained: "I mean, Rachel Reeves is a nice person; I spoke to her on Zoom once. I've never met her in person, but I think she could actually do something. I mean, she's the Chancellor of the Exchequer."
The bill, which faces its second reading in the House of Commons today, includes significant changes to the benefits system.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
- 'We have to fix it!' Jonathan Reynolds defends Labour's benefits Bill and vows to 'guarantee support those who need it'
- Keir Starmer faces Commons showdown with rebel Labour MPs in just HOURS as major benefits revolt threatened
- Helen Whately grilled by Camilla Tominey on 'ballooning' benefits bill under the Tories: 'How on EARTH did you allow it?!'
Tempest added: "You get some people, like myself, who are very severely disabled. Then you get others who are alcoholics and that’s self-imposed and I don’t feel very sympathetic about that.
"I’ve even heard, and this isn’t very nice, of people receiving support for things like acne or weight problems, which in many cases can be managed.
"So there is this division between people who were born with a disability, or who acquired one through an accident, and others.
"Then we have the MPs they sometimes infuriate me. I sometimes wonder why I’m even interested in politics.
"It’s frustrating. And it’s doubly frustrating for me at the moment because I’m actually housebound.
"I was invited to a meeting with Stephen Timms, and I can’t even attend. I would love to, because then I could make a contribution in some way."
The Prime Minister announced a U-turn on some of his benefits reforms last week after more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to vote against the proposals.
Rachel Reeves has been urged by her constituent
PASir Keir Starmer offered concessions including limiting cuts to personal independent payment ahead of today's vote.
Under the revised bill, all existing Pip recipients will remain on the current system, with eligibility restrictions only applying to new claimants from November 2026.
The Government said it had "listened to the MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the social security system".
Most Read
