Erica Young on the government’s proposed social security changes
This was a pretty shameful week in the history of welfare policy.
The UK Government making a series of last-minute sweeping changes to its own bill was a very poor approach, particularly to a policy that will be life-changing - potentially devasting - for hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled people.
Indeed the whole flawed process behind this bill has, in itself, caused harm. People coming to our CABs for help are very worried, confused and scared - even before any changes have been implemented. Amidst the chaos of the last week, it was heartening to see many MPs raise concerns about the harm that the proposed reforms would cause.
We must remember that people affected by these issues are already struggling to cope. 67% of those seeking advice from a Scottish CAB have a disability or long-term health condition which adds significant financial and emotional cost to their lives, especially for those in remote and rural communities. People don’t have enough to live on; many are grappling with debt and destitution. And such poverty is both a consequence and cause of disability and ill health, meaning the need for social security has grown alongside poverty rates.
As things stand, there will be no changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) until a review has been completed in late 2026. Importantly, the UK Government has now pledged in the meantime to engage in meaningful consultation with disabled groups about future welfare provision. This is vital. It should have happened in the first place. Sick and disabled people must be able to help shape the policies that will have such a profound effect on their lives and livelihoods. We hope the review will learn from a similar review conducted into Scotland’s equivalent of PIP, Adult Disability Payment.
It remains unclear what impact the reforms will have on devolved social security in Scotland. Complexity could be added to the system, making it more difficult for people to claim payments they’re entitled to. It is imperative the UK Government works closely with the Scottish Government to avoid this.
The bill now moves to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny; there will be more opportunities to shape the legislation in the coming months. We remain deeply concerned about many of the changes, and the holes that they could create in the social security safety net. Holes that many could fall through, including people with fluctuating health conditions, or those who experience sudden injury or illness and are unable to work or need recovery time.
Social security is an investment in all of us. It should be both a safety net and a springboard; enabling people to realise their potential and providing support during the storms of life that any of us could experience.
The UK Government must work collaboratively now; to map out how social security can be reformed in a way that’s not just about cost-cutting but social justice too. We’re talking here about some of the most vulnerable people in our society. Compassion should not be an optional extra in this process. It should be right at the heart of it.
Erica Young is part of the social justice team at Citizens Advice Scotland.
This column was first published in the Herald.
