The cost of cuts to disability benefits: Our open letter to the Chancellor
Tomorrow, the government is expected to publish a green paper proposing changes to disability benefits. For millions of disabled people, these benefits are a lifeline. They are the difference between surviving and being pushed deeper into poverty.
How we've been making sure disabled people's voices are heard
As part of our Cost of cuts campaign, we have been driving a digital billboard van around Parliament, warning the government that cutting benefits will be a catastrophe for disabled people.
We have been supporting our storytellers to speak out in the media.
We have launched a petition to show that we are united against disability benefits cuts.
We have also written to the Chancellor, alongside a collection of charities, urging the government to think again. Our full letter is below.
How you can get involved
Cuts to disability benefits are not inevitable. Make disabled voices heard. Sign our petition
By adding your name, you’re showing the Government we are united against cuts to disability benefits.
Find out more about our Cost of cuts campaign.
Scope is here to help
We know media reports and speculation about disability benefit changes are worrying for many disabled people. If you are worried about benefits, Scope is here to help.
Our open letter to the chancellor
Dear Chancellor,
We are writing to you as a collection of charities to urge you to think again about cuts to disability benefits.
Disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the Limited Capability for Work Amount, can be a lifeline for disabled households and can enable people who receive PIP to work. Making cuts to disability benefits would have a catastrophic impact on disabled people up and down the country. Scope’s analysis of government figures shows that without PIP, a further 700,000 more disabled households could be pushed into poverty.
Life costs more for disabled people. Huge numbers already live in poverty as a result of these extra costs. The impact of any cuts to disability benefits would be devastating.
We agree with the Government’s ambition to support more disabled people into work. However, making cuts to disability benefits will not achieve this goal or fix the system. In fact, there is little evidence to suggest cutting benefits increases employment outcomes. We know the benefits system is broken and needs reform. That there are disabled people out of work who want to work given the right support. And for some disabled people work isn’t appropriate. Changes to welfare must start here. Not with cuts.
The Government has an opportunity to work with disabled people and the sector to bring about meaningful change. We want disabled people to be heard and supported by the Government. The needs and voices of the disability community should be at the heart of the Government’s plans. Disabled people should not be an afterthought.
We would urge you to safeguard disability benefits from cuts, we fear the cost of cuts is too great.
Yours Sincerely,
- Mark Hodgkinson, Chief Executive, Scope
- Caroline Collier, Chief Executive, Inclusion Barnet
- Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive, National Autistic Society
- Charles Colquhoun, Chief Executive, Thomas Pocklington Trust
- Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice
- James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive, Sense
- Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive, Mencap
- Kamran Mallick, Chief Executive, Disability Rights UK
- Matt Stringer, Chief Executive, RNIB
- Nick Moberly, Chief Executive, MS Society
- Paul Kissack, Chief Executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive, Mind
- Tom Lawson, Chief Executive, Turn2Us
- Ayla Ozmen, Director of Policy & Campaigns, Z2K
- Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research and Impact, Trussell
- Juliet Tizzard, Director of External Relations, Parkinsons UK
- Peter Osbourne, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Guide Dogs
- Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive, Versus Arthritis
- Simon Francis, Coordinator, End Fuel Poverty Coalition
- Kate Steele, Chief Executive Officer, Shine
- Emma McNally, Chief Executive Officer, Tourettes Action
- Hannah Tough, Chief Executive, Inclusion North
- Matthew McGregor, Chief Executive, 38 Degrees
- Richard Evans, Director of Engagement, MND Association
- Rebecca Deegan, Director, Fair By Design
- Sabine Goodwin, Director, Independent Food Aid Network
- Dr Helen Bulbeck, Director of services and policy, braintrust - the brain cancer people
- Paul Bristow, Chief Executive, Kidney Care UK
- David Allen, Interim Chairman, The ME Association
- Peter Foxton, CEO of National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS)
- Sarah Sleet, CEO, Asthma + Lung UK
- Mandy Crandale, CEO, National Survivor User Network
- Caroline Stickland, Chief Executive Officer, Transport for All
- Andrea Brown, Chief Executive, National Kidney Federation
- Dr Lesley Kavi, Chair, PoTS UK
- Andrew Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer, Muscular Dystrophy UK
- Stewart McCulloch, CEO of Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
- Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness
- Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK
- Juliet Bouviere, CEO, Stroke Association
- Paul Cheal, Chief Executive, Big Issue Group
- Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG)
- Cath Stanley, CEO, Huntington's Disease Association
- Jan Russell, Chair, WAMES
- Andy Barrick, Chief Executive, MSA Trust
- Mike Beckett, CEO, DAWN
- Rick Henderson, CEO, Homeless Link
- Nick Carroll, Chief Executive, Together for Short Lives
- Dr Dale Webb, CEO, National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society
- Pippa Sargent, Chief Executive Officer, The Brain Charity
- Shantel Irwin, Chief Executive, Arthritis Action
- Aisling Duffy, Chief Executive, Certitude
- Alison Cooper, Chief Executive, Parity for Disability
- Andrea Wiggins, Chief Executive, Vibrance
- Angela Duce, Chief Executive, Harpenden Mencap
- Angela Murphy, Chief Executive, Fitzroy
- Anna McEwen, Chief Executive, Bromley Mencap
- Anna O'Mahony, Chief Executive, Hollybank Trust
- Azra Kirkby, Chief Executive, St Anne’s Community Services
- Craig Crowley, Chief Executive, Action Deafness
- David Coe, Chief Executive, AFK
- Diane Hesketh, Chief Executive, Natural Breaks
- Emma Morris, Chief Executive, Stockdales
- Gabby Machell, Chief Executive, Learning Disability Network London
- Gill Bryant, Chief Executive, Aurora Nexus
- Hilary Crowhurst, Chief Executive, Milestones Trust
- Ian Pritchard, Chief Executive, Alternative Futures Group
- Irene Sobowale, Chief Executive, Brainkind
- Jeff Skipp, Chief Executive, Ability Housing Association
- Jill Rankin, Chief Executive, St Elizabeth’s Centre
- Jim Kane, Chief Executive, Community Integrated Care
- Jo Howell, Chief Executive, The Northan Care Trust
- Jo Land, Chief Executive, Avenues Group
- John Heritage, Chief Executive, David Lewis
- Julie Bass, Chief Executive, Turning Point
- Kathryn Courtenay-Evans, Chief Executive, Guideposts
- Kerry Dearden, Chief Executive, Affinity Trust
- Kevin Peacock, Chief Executive, Options for Supported Living
- Lisa Hopkins, Chief Executive, SeeAbility
- Lisa Wimborne, Chief Executive, Jewish Blind and Disabled
- Lynette Barret, Chief Executive, National Star
- Maria Mills, Chief Executive, Active Prospects
- Mel Dunn, Chief Executive, Together Trust
- Naomi Dickson, Chief Executive, Norwood
- Neil Blanchard, Chief Executive, Southdown
- Nicky Boland, Chief Executive, Outward
- Paul McCay, Chief Executive, The Wilf Ward Family Trust
- Rachael Dodgson, Chief Executive, Dimensions
- Rachel Law, Chief Executive, PossAbilities
- Rachel Peacock, Chief Executive, Making Space
- Ray Booth, Chief Executive, Barnet Mencap
- Rebecca Mansell, Chief Executive, British Deaf Association
- Richard Franklin, Chief Executive, Kisharon Langdon
- Robert Shanahan, Chief Executive, Aspens
- Ru Watkins, Chief Executive, Hamelin
- Ruth Gorman, Chief Executive, Imagine, Act and Succeed
- Sally Daniels, Chief Executive, Henshaws
- Sara Thakkar, Chief Executive, Camphill Village Trust
- Sarah Burslem, Chief Executive, MacIntyre
- Sarah Butcher, Chief Executive, Autism at Kingwood
- Sarah Edwards, Chief Executive, Canterbury Oast Trust
- Sarah Lantsbury, Headway East London
- Stephen Veevers, Chief Executive, Hft
- Sue Livett, Chief Executive, Aldingbourne Trust
- Tracey Bush, Chief Executive, One Fylde
- Valerie Waby, Chief Executive, Linkage Community Trust
- Victoria Neish, Chief Executive, Coquet Trust
- Kate Meakin, Director, Energise Sussex Coast