NATALIE McGarry is to invite the new Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb to Easterhouse to see the impact of welfare cuts on her constituents.
The MP for Glasgow East is writing to Crabb following the resignation of his predecessor Iain Duncan Smith on Friday following the Chancellor’s announcement of further cuts to benefits for disabled people.
Duncan Smith was famously brought close to tears after seeing scenes of poverty in the Glasgow estate in 2002 as Tory leader while his party was in opposition.
He had promised to return to Easterhouse but stood down from his post on Friday two days after Osborne unveiled plans to axe £1.3 billion for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
The PIP cuts have now been shelved, but McGarry said previous cuts to welfare benefits continue to have an impact.
She said: “I think it is important he comes and speaks to my constituents and sees what the legacy of his predecessor is. Duncan Smith spoke of the epiphany he had in Easterhouse which inspired his welfare to work programme and it’s important the ministerial team see the damaging impact of this policy.”
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