An emergency motion from Equity that calls for unions to back a campaign opposing damaging cuts to disability support has been passed unanimously at the TUC Disabled Workers' Conference, taking place in Bournemouth on 2 and 3 June.
The motion was moved by Sarah Warren of Equity’s Deaf and Disabled Members’ Committee and seconded by The Musicians Union. It comes in response to the UK Government’s “inhumane proposal” to cut disability social security, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the health-related component of Universal Credit. The cuts will have a severe impact on disabled people’s financial security, independence, and wellbeing.
Equity secured TUC affiliated unions’ backing for the #TakingThePIP campaign, led by deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent (DDN) trades unionists, including Equity members, and their allies who have come together to speak out against these cuts.
All the unions in attendance at the conference voted to:
i) Publicly endorse and support the #TakingThePIP campaign, encouraging all affiliated unions to do the same.
ii) Ask the TUC to coordinate urgent, cross-union campaigning to oppose these damaging benefit cuts.
iii) Support Equity in encouraging members to speak out supporting #TakingThePIP, raise awareness of proposed cuts, and centre the voices of DDN people in the public conversation.
iv) Work with Disabled People’s Organisations and #TakingThePIP to maximise impact and solidarity.
Find out more about the #TakingThePIP campaign, sign the petition and write to your MP on the Taking the Pip website.
You can also read about what the proposed cuts will mean and how to respond to the government’s consultation in our briefing for members.
Go to #TakingThePip website
