INFLUENTIAL Wirral MP Frank Field has railed against “outrageous charges” being levied on some of the borough’s poorest residents who wish to appeal a benefit decision.

Mr Field, gathering evidence for a parliamentary inquiry, has found some doctors are holding the unemployed "to ransom" by charging them £50 for medical records.

And the charge means some people are having to go without food in order to pay "this extraordinary fee."

The MP said several people claiming Employment and Support Allowance have been found “fit for work” but wanted to dispute the decision.

To do so, they must present the Government with evidence, such as medical reports or letters from their doctor containing details of their physical or mental condition.

No appeal is likely to succeed without such evidence.

Mr Field said: “In the submissions I’ve been gathering for the national inquiry into hunger and food poverty, it has become evident that some people are left with no money for food because their doctors are charging them an extraordinary rate of £50, and sometimes more, to access their medical information.

“If they can’t afford to pay this ransom, they won’t get their benefit reinstated.

“Having written to them to outline my concerns, the British Medical Association agreed the current system places too much pressure on poor claimants.

“Some of our most vulnerable citizens are being plunged into hardship by this system.”

Mr Field raised this matter with the Government in a recent House of Commons debate, and the Minister for Disabled People, Mark Harper, agreed to investigate instances of this happening in Birkenhead.

Anyone who has had to pay such fees while appealing a benefit decision can write to Mr Field at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or by email fieldf@parliament.uk