A Dundee Labour councillor told his party’s work and pensions chief, Liz Kendall, he finds it difficult to be in the same group as her over cuts to welfare.
Ferry ward politician Pete Shears says he cannot support policies which push disabled people and their families “into poverty”.
Mr Shears’ mum fostered children he grew up with, and he saw first-hand the importance of state support.
“I know Liz Kendall is unlikely to listen just to one councillor, but if more people speak up it might make a difference,” he told The Courier.
The intervention is another sign of concern inside Labour about the party’s approach to welfare in the UK Government.
Ms Kendall wants to fix the “broken benefits system” and cut £5 billion from the welfare bill in five years.
‘Makes things worse’
Mr Shears said his mum – who still fosters in Essex – is dedicated to making life better for children but his party might be “making things worse”.
In a letter to Ms Kendall, he added: “As someone whose family fosters children with additional needs, I understand acutely the challenges faced when they reach adulthood and I find it difficult to be a representative of a party that is making changes to the welfare safety net.”
Despite concerns about his party, he said he would still rather fight to change the system from within than leave.
And he claimed locals are being let down by the SNP too in Scotland.
Mr Shears wrote separately to Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray criticising “mismanagement” of the health service.
Autism referrals
It follows NHS Tayside’s decision to scrap new referrals for children’s autism and ADHD assessments last month.
The health board will no longer accept neurodevelopmental referrals to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service for those without a co-existing mental health problem.
Anyone who has already had a referral accepted will not be affected.
Mr Shears added: “The SNP’s mismanagement of the health service is also punishing people who need support.”
NHS Tayside said the referral changes will tackle a massive backlog of patients.
The Scottish Government said it understands concerns of families in Tayside, and will respond to Mr Shears.
“To ensure changes happen at pace, Scottish Government officials and professional advisers will work with NHS Tayside and children’s services partners to support the development of a new pathway for children and young people with neurodevelopmental concerns,” a spokesperson said.
Responding to Mr Shears’ comments about Ms Kendall, a Labour spokesman said the party is building a “fairer” system to those who need it most.
The spokesman added: “When this Labour government came into power in July, the situation we inherited from the Conservatives was unsustainable with over 10% of young people not in work, training or education.
“We simply cannot allow an entire generation of young people to miss out on the opportunities offered by work or allow our businesses to go without the talent they need to grow.”
Conversation