LABOUR has accused the Government of "cutting support for people who need help to go to the toilet" amid planned changes to the welfare system which could affects tens of thousands of North-East disabled people.

Ministers hope to save £1.2billion by altering the formula used to calculate the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

However, Helen Goodman, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland and member of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee said the changes could have dire consequences for the 33,000 people in the North-East who claim PIP.

She said: "The idea of cutting support for people who need help to go to the toilet, for instance, is so appalling that I am surprised even this Government would contemplate it.

"The contrast with the tax cuts for people who have houses worth a million pounds show that this is a political choice, not an economic necessity.”

The Government, which said 640,000 people nationally will be affected by 2020/21, said changes will ensure the system is fairer as money goes to those who need it most.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) said a review of cases revealed that a "significant number" of people are likely to be receiving the benefit even though they have "minimal to no ongoing daily living extra costs".

The DWP launched a consultation on a range of options to change how scores are calculated to assess how much people should be entitled to.

Disability Rights UK welcomed the fact that four of the five options put forward were not introduced, but said the final option, to reduce from January next year the points awarded to people who need aids and appliances for dressing and managing toilet needs, will make it more difficult for some.

Charities say the alterations will make it harder for many people with disabilities and long-term conditions to qualify for the Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Gordon Pybus, from Darlington Association on Disability, said: "It seems to me that this Government is all about money and not about people.

"Vulnerable people like the disabled should be getting more support and not suffering more anxiety because of these changes - it's just ridiculous."

But Richmond MP Rishi Sunak, who voted in favour of the changes, backed the plans.

He said: “Many people with disabilities can and want to work. The Government should support that aspiration.

"Over 3.2 million people with a disability are now in employment which is 152,000 more than this time last year. The reforms will help build on this progress."

Disabilities Minister Justin Tomlinson added: “The introduction of personal independence payments to replace the outdated disability living allowance for working-age claimants has been a hugely positive reform.

“But it is clear that the assessment criteria for aids and appliances are not working as planned."