A SALE mum has grabbed the country’s attention after lambasting an MP for ‘writing off’ people with disabilities.

Sally Wheatman was an audience member on last night’s BBC Question Time when she challenged MP Matthew Hancock over government cuts.

Sally, whose 18-year-old son George is disabled, recently featured in the Messenger alongside other parents who are outraged that their children transport to Brentwood School in Timperley is at risk.

Speaking from the audience on Thursday night’s show, Sally said: “My son has no social worker, no care plan, his transport to and from school is threatened and his college place has just been withdrawn.

“I think the reality on the ground for people like us living everyday lives is that austerity is devastating; certainly for my son and young people like him. We feel as though he has been written off by Cameron’s government.”

This resonated with the audience, with Sally applauded for her speech, before a panel member asked Sally if Wednesday’s announcements about the Autumn Statement made a difference.

“Well no,” said Sally. “They don’t because they are still planning £12billion of welfare cuts, they make no difference at all.”

In response to Sally’s criticism, Mr Hancock tried to defend the position of the government but struggled to be heard over jeers from the audience.

“If we don’t have a country that can live within its means, then you can’t fund those sorts of public services that people like you really need,” he said.

Sally quickly interjected: “So is that why we pay our taxes – so that our children can’t go to school?”

The audience again erupted into a round of applause. Sally’s passionate speech garnered support from QT panel member SNP MP Pete Wishart, as well people at home, who took to Twitter to praise Sally and criticise Mr Hancock’s response.

She also caught the attention of national media, with Sally’s condemnation of the cuts making The Independent the following day. Sally said she has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the response.

“I have been absolutely inundated with Facebook messages and texts,” she said. “I have had messages from people I have never met before saying well done for standing up for our children. The support has been overwhelming.”

Video credit: BBC via Darren Marsden