CARDENDEN and Kinglassie MP, Peter Grant, has claimed Esther McVey, the UK Government Minister responsible for Work & Pensions, has gone back on a promise she made in January to meet with him in person to discuss Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

PIP is an important part of the Welfare system which guides support for people with health conditions which severely limit their mobility and Mr Grant has dealt with a number of queries about the issue from constituents.

During a debate four months ago on an Urgent Question, tabled by Mr Grant following the High Court’s decision to rule that some UK Government changes to PIP were unlawful, Esther McVey, said: “If there is a specific case or constituent that the honourable Member would like to see me about my door is open and I will meet with him.”

However, when he tried to take her up on this promise and wrote to her asking for a meeting, he waited over six weeks before finally getting a reply from a Junior Minister stating the Secretary of State was unavailable to meet with him to discuss the issue.

On Monday afternoon the Glenrothes and Central Fife MP raised the matter in Parliament, only for Esther McVey to delegate the answering of the questions to colleague, Sarah Newton MP.

Peter Grant said: “It is ridiculous that the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions has to hide behind her Junior Minister to dodge questions on such an important issue.

“Esther McVey said to me very clearly in Parliament last January that her door would be open to meet if I wished to discuss how her Government’s handling of Personal Independence Payments has adversely affected those in my constituency.

“Instead of opening her door she is now closing down communication on what was an unfair and callous attack by the UK Government on people with disabilities.

“I ask the Secretary of State again to keep to her promise and meet with me to discuss this issue.”