South Cotswolds MP votes against “botched” welfare bill that threatens vulnerable people in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire

South Cotswolds’ Liberal Democrat MP, Dr Roz Savage, has voted against the Government’s controversial welfare reforms, condemning the legislation as “botched” and warning it poses a serious threat to vulnerable people and carers across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

The Government’s plans would have slashed support for new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants - creating a two-tier system between existing and new recipients - while making it even harder for disabled people to remain in work.

The proposed cuts also risked stripping thousands of carers of their Carer’s Allowance, as eligibility depends on the person they care for receiving PIP. Despite last-minute concessions following pressure from Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs, the legislation still contains the damaging PIP cuts.

Roz criticised the Government’s chaotic handling of the Bill, describing it as a “mismanaged mess” rushed through Parliament without a full impact assessment or proper scrutiny.

“This Bill has been a fiasco from start to finish,” said Roz. “It’s not fit for purpose, and the scale of the rebellion this week shows the Government is out of touch and failing to deliver the change people in the South Cotswolds desperately need.”

Calling for the Bill to be scrapped entirely, Roz urged ministers to work cross-party on a more constructive approach to welfare reform - one that protects vulnerable people and focuses on long-term solutions.

“It’s time to put this Bill out of its misery,” she added. “Despite countless U-turns forced by pressure from Liberal Democrats and others across Parliament, this legislation remains unworkable and damaging.

“Instead of attacking vital support, the Government should fix our broken health and social care systems - getting people off NHS waiting lists and back into work, not leaving them trapped in pain and poverty.

“My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I will continue to oppose this misguided approach, and we’ll keep fighting for fair, sensible welfare reforms that actually help people thrive.”

ENDS