Coalition 'fobs off disability activists'

Pat Onions, a blind woman who cares for her disabled husband David who broke his back while serving in the royal navy, launched Pat's Petition demanding the government halts its welfare reforms until it can determine the effects on vulnerable people.

The huge response to the petition has seen it tally up almost 55,000 signatures, well over the 10,000 required in order to receive a response from the relevant government department.

But Ms Onions labelled the Department for Work and Pensions response "appalling."

Its response said "The government is fully committed to ensuring that disabled people of all backgrounds and ages can fulfil their potential and play full roles in society."

And it goes on to repeat everything that has already been said in the pro-welfare reform debate including that work is the "best route" for disabled people to get out of poverty and the reforms would make sure "work always pays."

Ms Onions said it amounted to the department "slagging off" the petition in order to discourage any more signatures.

Petitions need 100,000 signatures in order to be debated in Parliament and Pat's Petition only has until this Thursday November 3 to make up the shortfall.

Supporters of the petition have sent a response to the DWP saying it has "missed the point."

It said: "It's not just your changes to welfare that we're worried about. It's the perfect storm of all the changes at the same time. Each one of them affecting disabled people and carers.

"Our care needs haven't changed. But we now have to struggle to do things we used to find possible.

"There are more changes that we have to keep on top of. Blue badges, Independent Living Fund, closure of libraries and many more.

"It all impacts on disabled people and we are getting overwhelmed in this onslaught. So your reply didn't cut it.

"You remained in your silo. And for that we are asking that people continue to sign the petiition."

• The petition can be signed at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20968