'Worry over my sons' benefits put me in hospital'

Lorraine was taken to hospital with an irregular heartbeat because of stress over her sons' benefits

A woman who has two autistic sons says she is really worried about their future after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his government would press on with a vote on welfare reforms.

The government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, could change who qualifies for certain disability and sickness benefits.

Lorraine, from Dudley, said: "I had a panic attack and ended up in hospital because of the stress and the worry of all this going on."

Defending the move, Sir Keir said: "We were elected in to change that which is broken, and that's what we will do, and that's why we will press ahead with reforms."

Lorraine's sons Sam and Benjamin can currently access the disability living allowance.

"They've had that for a while now since they were little," their mum said.

"But when they turn 16 they should go onto personal independent payments.

"It's already virtually impossible to get, but what [the government] is going to do is squeeze the criteria for this benefit.

"I'm really worried when the boys come to claim it that we're not going to be able to get it and the impact that's going to have."

Lorraine's sons currently claim the disability living allowance but they will have to claim a different benefit when they turn 16

In March, Lorraine was taken to hospital with stress after her heart rate increased to about 140bpm.

She said: "I've got an irregular heartbeat and I'm on medication, and that particular day my heart beat was about 140bpm.

"It was absolutely ridiculous."

More than 120 Labour backbenchers are said to have signed an amendment calling for the proposals to be scrapped.

But despite this, a second reading of the bill is to be heard on 1 July in the House of Commons.