A 'HARMFUL' cut to disabled people's benefits was rubber-stamped last week with the support of 309 Tory ministers, including Bracknell MP Dr Phillip Lee. 

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for around 500,000 disabled people will be slashed by £30 a week next year after MPs including Dr Lee, Adam Afriyie MP for Windsor and and Wokingham MP John Redwood voted for the cut. 

It will lower the weekly rate from £103 to £73, the same as Jobseeker's Allowance, amid government claims the cut will encourage people with disabilities to get a job. 

Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell stated he was 'disappointed' with Dr Lee's vote and said: "I was very disappointed. I thought Phillip might be one of those ones that actually stood up and said this is unfair and I can't support it. "If he had, and a few others had joined him, I think George Osborne would have been forced to think again, just as he did on tax credits. I was disappointed, I expected better of Phillip this time around."

However Dr Lee, MP for Bracknell since 2010, defended his support for the cut saying it means more money will be spent on helping claimants back into the workplace. 

He said: "The changes in benefits relate to people who have limited capability for work but who are able to take part in some work-related activity. This only comes into effect for new claimants after April 2017 and no current claimants will see a reduction in the amount they receive. Furthermore, when the changes are introduced it will mean that additional funds are focussed on helping claimants back into the workplace, providing better opportunities for those who can work.

"John McDonnell’s comments show that the current Labour leadership has no interest whatsoever in helping people into the workplace, preferring instead to perpetuate a benefits dependency culture. It is yet another example of how far and how fast they are moving their party away from economic reality."

The cut contained in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill will apply to new ESA claimants in the work-related activity group who are considered unable to work at the moment but can take part in interviews and training.

It was only passed after MPs claimed financial privilege over the bill and led the House of Lords to withdraw their opposition. 

Elliot Dunster, head of policy, research and public affairs at disability charity Scope, said: "Reducing ESA will have a harmful impact on disabled people. 

"Half a million people will be affected by this proposal – losing around £30 a week - at a time when they are already struggling to make ends meet. 

"Reducing disabled people’s incomes won’t incentivise them to find a job. It will just make life harder."

Mr Dunster added the government should invest in support and encourage flexible workplaces to improve the prospects of disabled people.