Eamonn Holmes admits he’s ‘worried’ as he expresses concern over Labour plan: ‘I just feel for everyone in that situation’
Eamonn Holmes has expressed concern about the portrayal of disabled people as the Government prepares to announce significant welfare cuts today.
His comments come as Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to outline plans to reduce the rising benefits bill.
Eamonn has been open in the past about his struggles with chronic back pain, which has led to significant mobility problem and means that he relies on a wheelchair and walking aids.
Speaking on GB News, he said: “I look at this, and I hear things that really worry me about the way people with disabilities are being portrayed.
“It’s as if there’s nothing wrong with them, or if they’re claiming something, it’s dismissed as not being as bad as they say it is.
“I’ve been in a wheelchair for the past two years, and goodness, my life has changed so much in doing the simplest things, things I used to rely on.
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“I’m not claiming anything, but maybe I should be, I don’t know. I just feel for everyone in that situation and how they’re being branded.”
The Government is seeking to address spiralling welfare costs, with the benefits bill reaching £48billion in 2023-24.
This figure is forecast to rise to £67billion by 2029-30, which would exceed the current schools budget.
Ministers insist reforms are necessary as the number of people claiming sickness or disability benefits has increased from 2.8 million to about 4 million since 2019.
Downing Street has said there is “both a moral and an economic case” for overhauling the system.
Disability advocate and Big Brother star Kerry Riches, who was diagnosed with MS at 24, explained: “I drive a hand controlled car. I cannot feel anything from the knee down.”
“If you look okay, you must be okay. How can you possibly be disabled if you can speak articulately on the telly or on the radio?”
When Eamonn asked if disabled people were “an easy target” for politicians making cuts, Riches responded firmly: “I hope not because we are not.”
The cuts are a prelude to Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring statement on March 26.
The Treasury is looking for ways to plug a hole in the public finances against the backdrop of a faltering economy.