"It seems the UK Government’s message is: you're ok if you are disabled today, but good luck if you become disabled tomorrow"
The UK Government’s u-turn on controversial benefits cuts to the most vulnerable does not go far enough – instead, all proposed ‘reforms’ must be axed.
That’s the view of anti-poverty charities who said the concessions made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer will introduce a two-tier social security system.
Starmer backtracked on his ‘reforms’, which would see cuts to Universal Credit (UC) and Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in order to head off a mounting rebellion on his own backbenches.
Instead, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, said she would bring forward a more fundamental review into PIP and increase the amount of money to be spent on back-to-work schemes.
The compromises include exempting everyone currently receiving disability benefits from the changes - and increasing the health element of universal credit in line with inflation.
In March, reforms to the welfare system – supposedly aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work – were announced.
The government said the changes, including restricting access to PIP and the sickness-related element of UC, were expected to make welfare savings of £4.8 billion by 2029-30.
This has been too much for many Labour MPs to stomach and the government faced defeat – despite its majority – when the Welfare Bill is debated in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
However, as it stands, the cuts are still coming – but now they will only be applied to new claimants, and it remains to be seen whether the concessions are enough to placate Labour rebels.
Anti-poverty charities demanded the government scrap the Welfare Bill changes altogether.
This week, a group of more than 100 Scottish civil society groups signed an open letter demanding the plans are scrapped.
Citizens Advice Scotland spokesperson Emma Jackson said: “The concessions that have been reported are nowhere near enough. Creating a two-tier system is highly problematic. It seems the UK Government’s message is: you're ok if you are disabled today, but good luck if you become disabled tomorrow.
“Furthermore, it appears none of issues that the reforms risk for people in Scotland have been addressed, like guaranteeing the passporting capacity of the adult disability payment. Without this huge uncertainty exists.
“Social security is an investment in all of us that should act as both a safety net and springboard; enabling people to realise their potential and providing support during the challenges of life that any of us could experience. These reforms will rip gaping holes into the system that so many depend on. In a just and compassionate society, we cannot allow this to happen.
“We urge the UK Government to halt these reforms altogether and engage with meaningful consultation and co-design with disabled people.”
Helen Barnard, director of policy at Trussell, added: “The significant concessions made by the UK Government are welcome, but proposals still present a bleak future for future claimants and still risk placing the government's commitments to end the need for emergency food and tackle poverty in serious jeopardy.
“Being disabled isn’t a choice. Our fears remain the same, and key MP concerns still remain to be addressed. As it stands, we still have a pledge to review the PIP assessment that has no clear bearing on these changes. MPs will still be voting without a full picture of the impact on their constituents, particularly of the proposed 'four point rule' for PIP claims – which are expected to impact nearly half a million people, and force more disabled people to the doors of foodbanks.
“We urge MPs who stood against the bill to continue to do so, and protect the people these changes will affect in the near future.”
