INVERCLYDE councillors have joined forces in a rare display of unity to condemn the ‘scandalous’ treatment of disabled people facing benefit cuts.

Labour, SNP and Lib Dem elected members expressed their disgust at the new Personal Independent Payments, which have replaced Disability Living Allowance, during a Municipal Buildings debate.

Since the change over to PIP began, 200 local people have had their disability benefits reduced, and it is estimated local residents could lose £6m a year in total.

Leading disability rights campaigner Councillor Jim MacLeod said: “I first warned that this would happen in 2012.

“It is absolutely scandalous that this has been allowed to happen.

“It not only affects the person, but their families as well. People also face losing their mobility cars as a result. The government want people to go to work but how are they going to get there without a car?”

Council leader Stephen McCabe agreed that Inverclyde Council should continue to pursue the Department for Work and Pensions over the issue with a letter to the minister.

They had previously asked for assessments to take place in Inverclyde, a suggestion which was rejected.

Mr McCabe said: “It is appalling. It will have a detrimental impact on people’s quality of life and their standards of living.”

Since June 2016 the council’s own welfare rights officers have supported 276 people and clawed back £110,000 in payments.

They’ve also represented 151 people at PIP appeal hearings, winning a total of £188,000.

The SNP’s group leader Cllr Chris McEleny said: “I think we can say that there is no one here today who supports what is happening.

“They are taking away an entitlement, because that it was it is. 

“People who can’t work because of a disability are entitled to this.”

Other councillors, including Lib Dem Ciano Rebecchi, also added their concerns while MP Ronnie Cowan has separately been pursuing the government on behalf of those changing over to PIP.

Mr Cowan said today: “The issue over further cuts to disability benefits is completely unacceptable and has led to many of my constituents facing unprecedented difficulties, such as a drop in their benefits or the removal of their motability car.

“My office is receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cases on a daily basis whereby constituents are contacting me to highlight their concerns and their complete lack of faith in the UK Government’s policy.”