AGEUK: Clegg defends changes to benefits

The Deputy Prime Minister has defended medical tests that are being brought in to check people's entitlement to the disability living allowance. 

Kate Green, Labour MP for Stretford and Urmston, said the changes would leave thousands fearing they will no longer be able to receive the benefit. 

But Nick Clegg said many recipients had called for the tests and said the changes were being implemented to help those in "real need".

Chancellor George Osborne announced plans in the Budget to restrict the payment of the DLA, which would save the taxpayer more than £1 billion a year.

But Ms Green asked why a constituent of hers who had mental health problems, septicaemia, pneumonia, MRSA and was wheelchair-bound would "have to face a medical test for a benefit that is intended to meet his non-medical needs?".

Mr Clegg said: "This is not about taking away universal benefits, this is about making sure that those who receive DLA do so because of real need."

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