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Stephen Crabb announced as new Work and Pensions Secretary

Stephen Crabb has been announced as the new Work and Pensions Secretary following the resignation of Iain Duncan Smith.

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No further plans for welfare cuts says Stephen Crabb

Stephen Crabb delivers his first speech in his new role Credit: Parliament TV

Stephen Crabb and Alun Cairns have spent their first day in their new roles as Work and Pensions Secretary and Welsh Secretary respectively.

Both were promoted at the weekend after the resignation of Iain Duncan-Smith from his cabinet position.

In his first speech in the House of Commons in the new role, Stephen Crabb un-announced the proposed cuts put forward in the recent budget.

Petition calls for Crabb to resign as disability patron

More than 8,000 people have already signed an online petition, calling for the new Work & Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb to resign as patron of a Pembrokeshire disability charity.

Credit: PA im

Mr Crabb, the MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, was appointed to his new role yesterday after Iain Duncan Smith quit the government cabinet on Friday night.

He's the patron of Pembrokeshire Mencap, and organisers of the petition say that he should stand down from this position because of his historical voting pattern on cuts to Employment Support Allowance.

Mr Crabb has been unavailable for comment, and the Department for Work & Pensions say they are unable to respond to the matter.

Pembrokeshire Mencap is a small local charity, which has not yet voiced its own opinion on the issue.

But the Royal Mencap Society, which is a separate organisation, have put forward a statement.

Credit: PA im

"We congratulate Stephen Crabb MP on his new role as Department for Work and Pensions Secretary. As a patron of a local Mencap Group, which is a separate and independent charity to us at the Royal Mencap Society, we hope he uses this role to listen to the concerns of people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

“People with a learning disability are being forced to the very fringes of our community due to the effects of cuts. This is having harmful effects to people’s health and finances and placing a greater demand than ever on a social care sector that is at risk of collapse due to a funding crisis.

"With further cuts to benefits and social care likely this is a crucial time for people with a learning disability. We feel it important all politicians are made fully aware of the challenges faced by people with a learning disability, and will continue to work with MPs AMs, MSP and MLAs across all parties to ensure their voice is heard and people with a learning disability are supported to lead the life they choose"

“We call on the government to stop these cuts to disability benefits and end the crisis in social care. Instead they should focus on supporting people with a learning disability into employment and to have the support to live independent and fulfilling lives.”

– Rossanna Trudgian, Mencap

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Crabb: 'Looking forward' to working with new team

Stephen Crabb says he is looking forward to working with his new team and says it's a privilege to be appointed as the new Work and Pensions Secretary.

It was announced he will take up the new role after Iain Duncan Smith resigned yesterday.

Welsh Secretary appointment a 'privilege' says Cairns

Alun Cairns says it's a 'privilege' to be appointed as the new Welsh Secretary.

He was announced for the role after Iain Duncan Smith's resignation saw Stephen Crabb appointed as Work and Pensions Secretary.

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