What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

An official bid to reverse Tory disability benefit cuts has won its target of 100,000 backers in just a week.

The path is now clear for MPs to debate the petition against slashing Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in Parliament.

Iain Duncan Smith is docking £30 a week from sick and disabled people deemed fit for 'work-related activity' despite charities warning he would "push people further from work".

Paralympic hero Tanni Grey-Thompson helped the House of Lords defeat the cuts twice - but Tory MPs railroaded them through anyway.

Read more:

Now a petition calling for the ESA cuts to be reversed has amassed a huge following on Parliament's website.

Started by 23-year-old charity fundraiser Sanial McCormick, it warns: "This will cripple those in receipt of these benefits, leaving many in literal poverty. The government must reverse this decision. Lives are at risk."

(Image: Sanial McCormick)

Tonight the petition sailed past the 100,000 threshold to be considered for a debate in Parliament.

It will be discussed by MPs on the petitions committee, and reversing the cuts could be given a three-hour slot in Westminster Hall if they vote in favour.

Mr McCormick, from Bristol, told the Mirror he and an ex-partner lived on ESA for two years due to mental health issues.

He said: "You have to deal with the fact that you have no money every single week. I'm only 23 - I can't imagine what it's like for families.

"You can be made to feel belittled for having a debilitating illness. The assessments are very difficult to deal with.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

"Cutting it further is ridiculous. When I read the news I went to the Parliament website assuming there would be a petition and there wasn't, so I started one."

He added: "I would like to think the majority of MPs who voted for the cuts have never been in the same situation as those the cuts are going to affect.

"Those people are elected to supposedly represent us, and judging by the response to the petition they haven't been in touch with those people to find out what it will really be like."

(Image: Reuters/Parliament TV)

It comes after Baroness Grey-Thompson, an 11-time gold medallist who spoke movingly from her wheelchair to oppose the cuts, joined a separate petition backing people with Multiple Sclerosis.

She joined the MS Society today to deliver the 20,000-signature petition to Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson.

It was part of the charity’s MS: Enough campaign asking the government to ensure people with MS can rely on welfare support when they need it.

The former wheelchair racer said: "People with long term conditions like MS need to be able to get financial support when they need it most but have to navigate an unforgiving system that doesn’t make sense.

"It’s deeply troubling that many disabled people and people with MS are having to make difficult choices about whether they can afford to buy basic daily essentials, attend hospital appointments or spend time with family and friends."