Disabled Must Look For Work Or Lose Benefits, Says Hunt

Jeremy Hunt has been accused of trying to punish disabled people while offering tax cuts that the Conservatives hope will turn around their electoral fortunes.

- KATE DEVLIN ARCHIE MITCHELL

The chancellor is preparing to use the autumn statement today to ease the tax burden on businesses and individuals, as he seeks to boost economic growth and win over disillusioned voters.

Mr Hunt is likely to announce cuts to national insurance, with a nod to falls in income tax to come.

But hundreds of thousands of people with mobility and mental health problems are set to be told their benefits will be cut, by £4,680 a year, unless they find work they can do from home.

Sarah White, from Sense, the disability charity, said the move “looks set to punish disabled people, adding more anxiety on to disabled households that are already struggling”.

The row over the plans erupted as:

• Treasury minister Laura Trott said falling inflation meant ministers could focus on cutting taxes for individuals as well as businesses
• Mr Hunt received a significant boost as official figures showed the government had borrowed nearly £17bn less than predicted this year
• Former Tory leader Lord Hague said getting people back to work was “urgent” to balance the nation’s finances
• The governor of the Bank of England warned inflation was still a threat
• The Treasury confirmed a pay rise for nearly 3 million workers – with the national living wage to rise to £11.44 in April

Rishi Sunak has warned the welfare system is “unsustainable”.