Rt. Hon. John F. Spellar MP

Government have crossed the basic line of British Decency on cancer patients says Warley MP John Spellar

Following the Government’s three defeats on the Welfare Reform Bill in the House of Lords, including over plans to force cancer patients back into work before they have had the chance to recover, John Spellar MP said:-

“People all over Sandwell will be delighted the Government have been defeated over their cruel plans for cancer patients, because quite simply they tried to cross the basic line of British decency.

“For months Labour has been fighting this heartless attack on cancer patients, and we are delighted that the House of Lords agree. The Government’s proposal to cut benefits for people still in chemotherapy crosses the basic test of fairness.”

Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne said:-

“In the year of the Beveridge Report’s 70^th Anniversary, this Government has sought to break one of its core principles – a welfare state based on a fair contributory bargain. In seeking to break that bargain on the backs of cancer patients they have shown they have no interest in keeping that bargain.

“It’s clear that the Government have got this one wrong, and after these decisive defeats they should do the decent thing and take these proposals off the table.”