The cost of cuts
On Wednesday 18 March, the government announced changes to disability benefits. But for millions of disabled people, these benefits are a lifeline. They are the difference between surviving and being pushed deeper into poverty.
These are the biggest cuts to disability benefits on record. Plans to cut disability benefits by £5billion a year will be a catastrophe for disabled people’s living standards and independence.
The government is choosing to penalise some of the poorest people in our society.
Life costs a lot more when you’re disabled. Thousands of pounds for a wheelchair or home adaptations. Sky high energy bills because without enough heating you’re in constant agony.
Needing more financial support is not a choice. Disabled people often live in pain and in fear of losing vital support.
After years of rising prices, many disabled people are already on the brink. Cutting disability benefits will deal another catastrophic blow to disabled people’s lives.
Almost half of families in poverty include someone who is disabled. Ripping away disability benefits will see hundreds of thousands more disabled people in poverty.
Disabled people should not be blamed for the country’s economic issues. There are 16 million disabled people in the UK. Some of us are in work, others want to work but are denied the opportunity. Others may never be able to work. The government must listen to disabled people. They must work with us to reform the benefits system, rather than making it worse.
The government must listen to disabled people and think again. Don’t ignore the cost of cuts.
Tell the government the cost of cuts would be catastrophic.
Our policy team is currently reviewing the disability benefits Green Paper in detail, and we will provide updates on our explainer page as soon as we have more information.
There’s still time to show the government you’re against the cuts to disability benefits.
By adding your name, you’re showing the Government we are united against cuts to disability benefits.
More about this campaign
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Do we know what is changing for disability benefits?
The government has published a Green Paper proposing changes to the benefits system. A Green Paper is a preliminary report of government proposals, in this case proposals for changes to the benefits system. These changes could affect disability benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit (UC), and others. The Green Paper outlines the government's plans to change the way disability support is provided, and we are closely reviewing these proposals.
Our policy team is currently reviewing the disability benefits Green Paper in detail, and we will provide updates on our explainer page as soon as we have more information.
No changes will come in immediately. This is the start of a government consultation process. It will take time for any changes to be implemented.
If you’d like to, you can respond to the consultation.
Please note that the government has acknowledged that this consultation form is not accessible and that more accessible versions will follow. We will share an accessible form as soon as it is published by the government. And we’ll provide further updates as soon as we have more information.
If you are worried about benefits, our helpline can provide free advice and support
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Why does life cost more for disabled people?
Scope research has found that on average, disabled households need an additional £1,010 a month to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households.
For many disabled people, this is money that we simply do not have. Almost half of families in poverty include someone who is disabled. Ripping away disability benefits will see hundreds of thousands more disabled people in poverty.
The financial struggle with extra costs is ongoing. And has a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of disabled people. At the very worst, this can be life-threatening.
Our Price Tag figure is updated yearly. Check the latest Disability Price Tag figure.
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What does Scope hope to achieve with this campaign?
We are calling on the government to protect disability benefits and ensure they continue to provide vital support.
We will be gathering evidence from disabled people, our research, and our frontline services to show the real impact of potential changes. Our campaign will highlight why disability benefits like PIP are essential and what needs to change to better support disabled people.
Life costs more when you’re disabled - thousands of pounds for mobility aids, home adaptations, and sky high energy bills just to stay warm and out of pain. Cutting benefits would deal a catastrophic blow to disabled people’s lives. The Chancellor had a choice. Cut benefits and increase poverty or invest in an equal future. The government must listen to disabled people and think again. Don’t ignore the cost of cuts.
Scope is here to help
We know the news about disability benefit changes are worrying for many disabled people.
If you are worried about benefits, Scope is here to help.