A BOLTON MP has upped his opposition to personal independence payments (PIP).

Sir David Crausby has previously called on the government to reassess the PIP system for young cancer sufferers. Now he has signed an early day motion criticising the use of unqualified assessors with a lack of specialist knowledge on rare conditions.

The motion has the backing of 100 MPs who signed a letter to the secretary of state saying a "hostile environment" had been created for disabled people who were being punished by a benefits system which was supposed to serve them.

Sir David said: “I frequently meet with people who are genuinely suffering because of the way this system works.

"PIP is supposed to offer a little extra help to meet the additional costs that come with a long term condition but instead people are faced with a constant stressful battle with these private companies acting on the Government’s behalf.

"It’s not good enough, we need a system that treats people with respect.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “PIP assessments are carried out by qualified health professionals who combine their clinical knowledge with an understanding that not everyone with the same disability is impacted in the same way. Health professionals must have at least 2 years’ experience as a fully registered occupational therapist, level 1 nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic or doctor.

“Assessments for PIP are designed to evaluate how a person’s condition impacts on their ability to carry out a range of daily tasks, rather than acting as a medical diagnosis.”