Impact of Welfare Reforms On People Living With HIV

 SNP MP Stewart McDonald has written to Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith about the impact of the UK government’s welfare reforms on people living with HIV in Scotland.
 
The Glasgow South MP has raised concerns about the fluctuating nature of the infection – something which the Work Capability Assessment does not take account of – and whether DWP and Jobcentre staff determining Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claims will receive training on the issues of living with HIV.
 
Stewart McDonald MP said:
 
“It is absolutely vital that DWP staff reassessing claimants for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits have sufficient training in the issues faced by those living with HIV, otherwise people might slip through the safety net that the welfare system is supposed to provide.
 
“The nature of the infection, coupled with the anti-retroviral treatment, means that people living with HIV need support such as welfare benefits at different times and for different reasons - to stay in work, maintain their health or to meet basic living needs.
 
“People living with HIV in Scotland have described poorer mental and physical health symptoms, difficulty paying for energy bills and 36% of those surveyed by HIV Scotland and Hepatitis Scotland said they had been affected by the bedroom tax.
 
“The WCA utterly fails to take account of the real needs of those living with fluctuating conditions and we must take action to ensure that not a single person living with HIV in the UK is forced into poverty or further ill health because of the Tories’ obsession with austerity.
 
"Despite the calls from civic Scotland to devolve full welfare powers, Scotland won't have the full powers to create a social security system that can treat everyone fairly. For now, we have to fight to ensure that the coveted Government White Paper is not only published timely, but has real proposals to create a fair and just society." 
 
George Valiotis, CEO of HIV Scotland said:
 
“Our research has clearly shown that people living with HIV experience uniquely discriminating circumstances when navigating the welfare system.
 
“At HIV Scotland we are pleased to see this letter which uncovers the specific issues highlighted by our work. 
 
“As the Westminster Government continues down the path of welfare reform, it is imperative that the end result does not continue to disadvantage people living with HIV.
 
“We firmly believe it remains possible to create a system which prevents poverty, treats people with dignity and most importantly supports everyone to flourish, and I urge decision makers to take on this challenge.”