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Opposition MPs used work and pensions questions in the Commons today to attack plans to remove disability benefits from some claimants.
The government plans to stop paying the mobility component of disability living allowance from those who are resident in publicly-funded care homes.
DWP minister Maria Miller told the House that the proposal has not been subject to full public consultation but will be fully scrutinised by Parliament.
Frank Roy (Lab, Motherwell and Wishaw) said the mobility benefit is "a life line to the outside world" for many people with disabilities and called the government's plans "brutal and cruel".
Miller said local authorities have a "clear duty" to promote independence for disabled people and community participation for people in care homes.
She said the whole system of benefits is moving towards personalisation which will help tailor benefits to the needs of the individual.
Duncan Hames (Lib Dem, Chippenham) asked how care homes are expected to cope with the different mobility needs of their residents.
Miller said the right level of support will be delivered locally.
Anne Begg (Lab, Aberdeen South) asked if the changes will affect children in residential schools and those who self-fund their care.
The minister replied that it will not affect self-funders, and it is important to have "clarity in funding streams" as the system moves towards personalisation.
Richard Fuller (Con, Bedford) expressed concern that the removal of the mobility element of DLA could have "deleterious effects" on some of his constituents.
Miller said the department of health has invested £2bn in social care spending.
Shadow DWP minister Margaret Curran said the CSR stated that cuts will only apply where costs are already met from the public purse.
She questioned the government's claim that there will be no losers in their benefits reform when organisations such as Scope have called the cut in mobility payments "callous".
Miller replied that she is "of course" listening to voluntary groups, but stressed the existing duties on local authorities and care homes would be fully enforced.
Jenny Willott (Lib Dem, Cardiff Central) asked if care home residents will still be able to buy cars and Motability scooters.
DWP minister Steve Webb replied that he is "in discussions" about that issue.
David Lammy (Lab, Tottenham) said an autistic constituent of his relies on his Motability scooter to get to work, while Luciana Berger (Lab, Liverpool Wavertree) asked how those who rely on specialist vehicles will be able to access work after the cuts.
Miller said the access to work programme should provide support with transport needs.
Work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith answered questions on the new universal credit system.
He said HMRC is already consulting with employers about their plans for a new IT system linked to DWP.
He said the new system will "make life easier" and deliver benefits without the current system of over-payments in tax credits.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Douglas Alexander asked how much it will cose to support councils in using the new system to create "mini benefit systems" in their area.
Duncan Smith said he will be announcing more details shortly, but added that local authorities are keen to start using the new system.
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