The British government has come under harsh criticism by senior lawmakers over its budget plan that contains cuts to personal independent payments (PIP).
The annual budget plan, presented by Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne on Wednesday, sparked criticism even within the ruling Conservative Party, with some MPs threatening to derail it in the parliament.
According to the plan, Osborne’s single revenue-raising measure over the next five years would be cutting PIP by £1.3bn. The office for Budget Responsibility said the move would affect 370,000 people, who would lose some £3,500 a year.
Andrew Percy, the conservative MP for Brigg and Goole, warned that the cuts plan would hit “exactly the wrong people.”
“This is about need, it is not about welfare reform. These people have these needs. These needs are not going away and therefore the payments should not go away,” Percy said.
Johnny Mercer, another Conservative lawmaker, said he was…