Iain Duncan Smith to cut disabled benefits by £30 a week, according to leaked documents

Iain Duncan Smith is poised to cut vital benefits for the disabled by £30 a week, leaked documents show.

The Tory welfare slasher – who ushered in the hated Bedroom Tax – now wants to cut Employment Support Allowance, the main sickness benefit.

An internal Whitehall paper says ESA payments of up to £102.15-a-week do not “incentivise” sick or disabled people to find a job.

It suggests they could be slashed for some claimants down to the level of standard jobseekers’ allowance.

Other benefits expected to be hit include working and child tax credits, and housing benefit.

Labour’s Shadow Minister for the Disabled Kate Green said: “This could drive people to foodbanks. Once again it’s disabled people being asked to pay the price for the Government’s failures.”

And other campaigners said it was “insulting” to suggest the main obstacle to disabled people finding work is their cash support from the Government.

Mental health charity Mind boss Paul Farmer said: “If these proposals go ahead they would cause significant additional pain for vulnerable people, with very limited gain. It’s insulting to suggest people living with illness or disability would be more likely to return to work if their benefits were cut.

“Most people with mental health problems want to work, but face significant barriers as a result of the impact of their condition and the stigma and discrimination they often face from employers.”

The plan is not yet official policy, but is understood to be under consideration as part of the £12billion welfare cuts being drawn up by the Tories.

More details are expected in George Osborne’s emergency Budget next week and in the spending review later in the year.

Mr Duncan Smith has already increased benefits sanctions by more than 50%. His Bedroom Tax has also hit the disabled.

He was left embarrassed on Wednesday when it was revealed his official credit card had been suspended over unpaid expenses debts.

The Department for Work and Pensions refused to comment.

However, David Cameron’s official spokeswoman admitted the leaked paper was genuine.

A group representing more than 50 charities said it was “deeply concerned” by the heartless plan.

Rob Holland, chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium, said: “This benefit is specifically there to provide support for those disabled people assessed as being able to move towards work.

“Cutting benefits to the bare minimum will prevent people seeking work effectively.”

Lord German, Lib Dem work and pensions spokesman said: “Threats to strip away ESA from thousands of sick and disabled people is a clear sign of the nasty party shifting up a gear.

“The Conservatives are dead set on balancing the books on the backs of the vulnerable and poor.”

Amputee: 'Wicked thing to do'

For disabled Janet Richards, the Tory welfare cuts nightmare is all too real.

Severe diabetes meant the 49-year-old had one leg amputated below the knee. She also had a triple heart bypass and requires frequent hospital appointments.

Janet spent many months struggling to make ends meet on meagre ESA payments and is furious to hear of the cruel Tory plan to strip some disabled claimants of up to £30 a week.

She said: “I think it is a diabolical liberty. It is simply not fair to do that to them.”

She added the cost of living is far higher for disabled people as they need extra support and services.

Janet, who lives in South London, said: “It would be exceedingly difficult if you had that sort of money taken away.

“We are talking about ordinary people who are vulnerable because of the particular conditions they have.

“It is absolutely wicked to do this right across the board. This plan is a disgrace.”