George Osborne has announced plans to take £70 a week away from thousands of people with disabilities, by cutting Personal Independence Payments (PIP). For many of us, this will mean losing the crucial support which enables us to get out of the house. Many people in our area would be hit hard by this cut. This petition calls on our local MP to do all they can to stop this cruel and unfair plan. Please, show your support for local people with disabilities and help stop the cuts to PIP.

George Osborne has announced plans to take £70 a week away from thousands of people with disabilities, by cutting Personal Independence Payments (PIP). For many of us, this will mean losing the crucial support which enables us to get out of the house. Many people in our area would be hit hard by this cut. This petition calls on our local MP to do all they can to stop this cruel and unfair plan. Please, show your support for local people with disabilities and help stop the cuts to PIP.

Our Government are supposed to be a democratically elected Government working for and on behalf of the people of our nation. In reality, we have a wannabe Mafia, hellbent on privatising our NHS, privatising our schools and destroying our welfare state. In 2012, Justin Tomlinson, the Tories’ Swindon North MP, voted to prevent disabled children from receiving at least a two-third higher rate of universal credit. His vote to block this increase is one that will seriously hurt some of the poorest children in this country, for example, those who are deaf, have cerebral palsy or even Down’s Syndrome. In addition, he's reaffirmed his cynical approach by supporting the cuts in ESA. The title ‘Disabilities Minister’ can be confusing. People can be forgiven for believing that this job is one in which the holder will be an advocate for the disabled. However, he's failed on that, and as such, should resign his position in Government immediately. If you or I were to so inept in our jobs, we'd be sacked. Let's give him the opportunity to do the right thing and resign.

I'm disabled and I struggle do things that able bodied people do. It's so hard for me and other people with disabilities to manage extra cost like heating the home to keep warm, and general things like have fuel in the car to get myself around. I'll start from the beginning. At the young age of 3 I was shot in the head with an air rifle, which left me with neurological injuries. Due to the way I walk I've damaged my spine and neck and now have arthritis in my spine and neck. I'm in a lot of pain on a daily basis. I take numerous amounts of pain killers including morphine. Not nice. I can walk very short distances aided, but mainly use a wheelchair. Disabled people need a voice: one that will be heard. I'm sick of living in silence. We, as disabled people are a part of the community and do need extra financial help. Stop punishing us.

The budget this week is unfairly hitting the disabled. These are the people that really need our help. I think its really important to everyone in this country. We are a caring & generous country. Helping the less fortunate people should be a priority.

The cost of maintaining independence by disabled citizens is difficult enough without the added worry of further financial pressures from the chancellor. Why is it that the most vulnerable in our society continue to pay the cost of government's financial mismanagement? Where has the "fairer society" ideal gone?

Jo Churchill, MP voted through the cuts to the ESA (Employment Support Allowance) for new claimants in the WRAG (Work-Related Activity Group). It is hypocritical for Jo Churchill to be gaining positive publicity by participating in this organisation's fundraising event for people who may be left worse off by this bill. Headway's Chief Executive states: "Making cuts to benefits for disabled people who have been independently assessed as being unfit for work will cause unnecessary hardship, leading to isolation and anxiety, and potentially increase their long-term dependence on state support." https://www.headway.org.uk/news/national-news/government-forces-through-esa-benefit-cut/

It is very important they we don't suffer in vain with these cuts to the disabled people

The volunteer Services Grants scheme enables many charities and voluntary organizations to keep going locally to provide essential services for those who are in need of it. Between 30-40 local charities and voluntary organisations will loose the chance to bid for the £366,000 funding to pay for essential costs. Youth services, homeless support and elderly support will diminish and 20 organizations have said that their charitable activities will half and are at risk of disappearing entirely. We need to now stand up for our charities that have given us all a safety net if the worst should happen and sound assistance when us or are loved ones need help.

No-one asks to be disabled. My partner has MS and was working right up until the disease struck. She bravely endures her disability, like many people do. Her ESA is a vital element to provide assistance and a small measure of Independence in a life, without which, would rapidly become completely joyless. Many other people rely upon this, too. This is not the action of a humane government.

Stephen Sowden a middle aged disabled man suffering with cancer has been banned from his local disabled sorts club. Stephen lives in the Harold Hill suburb of the London Borough of Havering has attended the Havering Disabled Sports Association since 2007 taking part in the sport of archery. In September last year Stephen was banned from this organisation for under very dubious circumstances. He asked to appeal the decision and was aided by a local campaigner and the hearing was held in a public environment which has been described as a Kangaroo court. Since Stephen’s dismissal from the HDSA both the local authority who have financed this organisation unconditionally for a number of years and his local MP have refused to come to Stephens aid. In a number of disturbing developments Stephen has been subject to threatening phone call’s first from an individual masquerading as a journalist from a national newspaper who tried to belittle his story and since this unsavoury incident has received a number of calls from if not the same another individual advising him their will be dire consequences if he continues to pursue having his membership re-instated. This seems unbelievable in our country in 2016 that a disabled individual can still be subject to this kind of discrimination and intimidation belonging to a different era of countries history. Please see below a statement from Stephen he made shortly after his membership was terminated: "I have been a member of Havering Disabled sports association for many years and due to my Disabilities have had opportunities I would not have had without the transport and help provided. Three weeks ago I was informed my name had been taken of the transport list and I was not to attend the meetings. I eventually contacted one of the Committee in order to find out what had happened but got no information. Last week I got a letter telling me to attend a Committee meeting at the Broxhill centre if I wished to Discuss my situation. I replied to the letter stating that I would be happy to attend but would bring some one to help me and witness the meeting. This was agreed. I went expecting a meeting with the three committee members but was surprised to find that they intended to hold the meeting in front of all the members of the club with no privacy. They had it seemed decided to put me in front of a Kangaroo court and proceeded to ask me personal questions about my Health and private life. They had no evidence of any wrong doing only hearsay and accusations with out any substance. However one of the members stated that if I was to come back he would leave the club simply because he had not liked my attitude. I am at present expecting them to stop me attending the club. They have handled this in a very unprofessional way and have treated me with total disregard for my feelings. I am asking that if a Charity funded by the Council and its tax payers has to comply with any anti bullying regulations and if they are given funding for transport can they simply stop allowing me to use it. I have done nothing wrong and have been under a lot of strain lately having my original disability and having had two major operations for mouth cancer last year. I am still not able to eat solids and have problems speaking or writing due to the operations. If you are unable to help me can you point me to some one who can". We as a group of campaigners and concerned citizens who live in the London Borough of Havering are demanding a proper enquiry into the reasons why Stephens membership was cancelled and will petition the HDSA to re-instate unconditionally Stephen’s membership . All Stephen wants is to be able to continue his beloved sport of archery and get on with his life without intimidation and prejudice. With best wishes. TEAM STEPHEN

The Bridge is a purpose built place for the Mentally ill people. It's an activity centre and a drop in centre with a cafe. The building is all on ground floor. There are gardens at the back and side for people to relax. The activities include Arts and Craft, Music Learning, Guitar Learning group - 'Dont Fret', Tabla (Indian drums) learning, Library, Choir meeting -- 'More than Just a Choir', WhyFI - for Paranoia, Pilates, Yoga, 30 Clients with Personal Independence Budgets attend for therapy. People with depression, Bipolar, Schizophrenia etc. etc. attend with great benefits to their daily life. The Northwick Park Hospital's Mental Heath Unit refers clients for further support from the services available at The Bridge. I had asked my family, two years ago, to take me to the Switzerland clinic to 'have me put down'. Then I heard of 'The Bridge' and attended the Choir -- ''More Than Just A Choir'' every Tuesday evening. This has turned my life around. The people receiving a great deal of therapeutic benefits will have to revert back to the overloaded GP services and the NHS -- waiting list. The attempt to close The Bridge will end up costing the community far greater!