Labour is prepared to risk a backbench revolt by allowing a vote on cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), in order to be sure it can breach claimants’ human rights without worrying about legal repercussions, Benefits and Work believes. 

When the Pathways to Work Green paper was published, it contained the surprising information that the changes to PIP scores and the cuts to universal credit (UC) payments would be introduced by primary legislation – an Act of Parliament.

Surprising, because these changes would normally be done using Statutory Instruments (SIs).  This is delegated legislation that does not require a vote in Parliament, just a signature from the secretary of state.

A vote carries real risks.

Given that the Tories will undoubtedly be in favour of the cuts, the risk is not that Labour might lose the vote.

But if a sizeable number of backbenchers revolt, real damage may be done to the Labour leadership and to party cohesion. A large enough uprising might even threaten the careers of Reeves or Kendall – perhaps even be the beginning of the end for Starmer himself .

In the face of overwhelming discontent, it seems likely Labour would abandon the whole plan rather than risk a showdown.

SIs, on the other hand, are extremely difficult to get a ballot on in Parliament.  There is a process whereby MPs can “pray against” an SI and potentially vote on it.  But it is a complex and seldom successful process.  The last time an SI was overturned in this way in the Commons was almost half a century ago.

So, why give MPs and Lords a vote on a highly controversial issue when it isn’t at all necessary?

The argument that it is being done in the interests of democracy is not one that can be taken seriously.  Not when Labour have refused to consult with the public, and particularly disabled claimants, over these changes which will have such a dramatic effect on their lives.

But there is a more obvious reason.

SIs can be challenged in court, usually by judicial review, and have some of their provisions removed or the entire instrument quashed.  The Human Rights Act is often the basis of such challenges.

In truth, successful challenges are very rare.

One study found that between 2014 and 2020 there were just 14 successful challenges of delegated legislation using the Human Rights Act, in spite of thousands of SIs being enacted every year.

It’s worth noting, though, that four of those cases were in connection with regulations made under the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

The situation is very different where an Act of Parliament, rather than an SI, is involved.

In the UK, parliament is sovereign. Because an act has gone through the whole extensive democratic process of scrutiny and debate by both the Commons and the Lords, courts cannot overturn the provisions of an Act of Parliament.

The most they can do is inform the government that particular provisions of an act are in breach of, for example, the Human Rights Act or the Equality Act.

But the government does not have to do anything about the court’s findings.  It can simply shrug its shoulders and carry on regardless.

Benefits and Work suspects that the DWP have very strong grounds to fear that both the changes to the PIP points system and the cuts to the LCWRA element of UC are in breach of the Human Rights Act and/or the Equality Act.

And that, we believe, is why they are to be made law via a single Act of Parliament that the courts can’t touch.

Once again, we remind readers that In the Green paper, the DWP claim that “We are committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people and people with health conditions at the heart of everything we do.”

Disabled people’s human rights, on the other hand, can be safely ignored.

Visit our What you can do page for at least eight actions you can take right now to challenge the Green Paper.  

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    · 1 days ago
    1.5 million people claim ESA. I claim NS-ESA (contributory, non means tested)
    I paid NI credits when working.

    The government intends to scrap CB NS-ESA and replace it with a non-means tested series of short term payments, for those who have paid NI credits

    This would be time-limited, unlike the current situation where people in the LCWRA group through the WCA, continue to be eligible and paid NS-ESA.

    ------------------------------------
    *149. We are consulting on creating a new Unemployment Insurance for those that have made National Insurance contributions. This would mean people receive the income they need alongside the right employment support to get back into work. The welfare system was founded upon the contributory principle – the idea of ‘something-for-something’.*

    *153. Our expectation is that providing people with active employment engagement and a non-means tested, time-limited, financial award would allow them to get back to work, engage in meaningful activity and look for the right job, where they are able to. We want to support people to find the right work for them, fulfilling their potential, and using the skills they have, *preventing them from becoming long term economically inactive where possible. Therefore, we are consulting on how long individuals should receive the Unemployment Insurance, and what support should be available for individuals during this time (see consultation question 4).*

    *Consultation questions:*

    *4. How could we introduce a new Unemployment Insurance, how long should it last for and what support should be provided during this time to support people to adjust to changes in their life and get back into work?*

    *53. Unemployment insurance would be a new non-means tested entitlement for people who have contributed into the system. It would be created by replacing contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with a new single entitlement, paid at the current ESA rate (currently £138pw) and will be time-limited. This would provide stronger income 54. Alongside levelling up the rate, this change would end the indefinite entitlement to contributory*

    *ESA for those assessed as having limited capability for work-related activity (for new people claiming). Those unemployed after the time-limited period would be able to claim UC, depending on their personal circumstances.*
    -------------------------------------
    Its outrageous obfuscation.

    Q. How can you; prevent someone from becoming economically inactive, after you have already declared them to be incapable of any work and work related activity?
    How can Labour repeatedly claim that people in the support group can move back into work?!
    --------------------------------------

    If they scrap NS-ESA, this will mean for claimants;

    …in a couple whose partner is earning an income will not be eligible for UC, (which is means tested) as they are assessed together as a joint household.

    People with legacy benefits will lose out as well.

    I survive on a small amount of money from an ‘income protection’ insurance policy alongside NS-ESA.

    Many many MILLIONS of working people have been sold ‘income protection’ policies, through work, or ‘Accident Sickness Unemployment’ policies, which pay out a weekly sum, up to 50% of your salary, after a deferred period, (usually one year) if you are found to be incapable of working again.

    If they cancel NS-ESA I cannot claim income protection insurance policy, alongside means tested UC.

    These people can only claim NS-ESA alongside any ‘payment protection’ policies. Because NS-ESA is no means tested. I will lose 45% of my total income.

    And even though I meet the criteria for being admitted into the LCWRA support group, under both Mobility and Risk, whilst also meeting the Govs 2008 severe conditions criteria, I have never attempted to claim PIP, and I do not think I meet the criteria for scoring 4 points on any one PIP descriptor.

    The government's proposals in the green paper to cancel NS-ESA must be challenged.
    Does anyone know if any lawyers representing disabled people, are seeking a judicial review of the policy changes challenging the lawfulness of decisions being made by the DWP?

    This green paper is unlawful, irrational and procedurally unfair. 

    (Is it possible to actually name and shame the specific writers of this new green paper? The individuals? Its so cowardly to hide behind the wall of a gov department, and throw bricks at the seriously people on the other side. Cant we collectively sue these people afterwards, as individuals, in civil proceedings?)
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    · 1 days ago
    I would hope the back bench revolt would be huge, but I have a sneaking feeling that many of the MPs will be thinking more about their current job than about the problems of their constituents. Labour will probably be a one term thing thanks to this, but the damage will already have been done. 
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    · 2 days ago
    It's all just a game to them.
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    · 3 days ago
    I wrote my mp about pip few months ago and she sent me a response from sir Timms about wca I wrote back telling I know they must be busy but can they possibly read a letter before sending response after all benefits or not they work for us not the other way round I also told her I find it very insulting that both of them have no time for the concerns of the people they are meant to represent and asked it they would rush through reading there expenses claims in the same way needless to say have heard nothing back 
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      · 3 days ago
      @A6 Indeed, they work for us, and wont, after the next election, which will be before some of these cuts even happen, so what sort of chaos then?
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    · 3 days ago
    The State Pension is now referred to as a Benefit and they want us to feel guilty for receiving it. We, the no longer able to work and the over retirement age, are now considered 'useless eaters' by our own government. The fact that more of us are unwell than ever before as a direct result of past government actions and mandates doesn't seem to spike their guilt at all. So it's full speed ahead as far as they are concerned in making our lives miserable and open to the suggestion of euthanasia.
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      · 21 hours ago
      @Wendy State pension is a handout from the government, therefore it is a benefit. The same as for JSA, ESA, UC, PIP, child benefit, etc., etc.
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      · 1 days ago
      @Wendy You have to wonder if the 'frog boiling' exercise of slowly training people to think pensions are benefits is to prepare the way for cutting state pension entitlements
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      · 1 days ago
      @Wendy Dont feel guilty about the Pension, they pay State Pension to Brits Living Abroad.
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    · 3 days ago
    Further to my comment below, the big elephant in regards to welfare spending is the state pension.  I don't think Reeves will do this today, but in the short term an announcement such as this will have to be announced:

    'With a rapidly ageing population, very low birth rate and people living much longer than was ever anticipated, we will have no choice but to reform the State Pension. Today I announce the following:

    '1 The triple lock is to be abolished. This will be replaced whereby the state pension will increase annually by the LOWER of annual earnings or inflation.

    ' 2, I am also announcing that with immediate effect the state pension age will rise to 70 for those born after 6th April 1970.

    ' 3 A consultation paper is to be released for pension reform for those born after 6th April 1985'

    Any thoughts?
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      · 1 days ago
      @Bert That's already been suggested, Bert.
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      · 1 days ago
      @Bert That is far too old. 
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      · 2 days ago
      @Matt YES you are RIGHT in my opinion in everything that you have said. Matt. It does appear as you and Wendy have identified those of us in this category that they announce they WILL protect are the very ones who they are I feel and dread they are going to end up targeting the most. As such I knew from the outset from the green paper proposals that when others thought we would be alright was indeed going to be the ones (due to them increasing state pension age) in the severe categories of benefits that they want to totally get rid of as we are at the age or near to it. 

      I do NOT KNOW how any of this STOPS!
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      · 3 days ago
      @Matt Perhaps make the state pension 70 years.
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    · 3 days ago
    From what is being reported by many in the media, more welfare cuts to be announced by Reeves at lunchtime.

    And as suspected, the response from my MP has not gone down well with those on this forum. If Steve Race is the typical Labour MP, then I don't hold out much hope for a major Parliamentary rebellion.
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    · 3 days ago
    "The fiscal watchdog put the value of the cuts at £3.4bn, leaving ministers scrambling to find further savings.

    Ms Reeves is now expected to announce that universal credit (UC) incapacity benefits for new claimants, which were halved under the original plan, will also be frozen until 2030 rather than rising in line with inflation.

    As originally reported by The Times, there will also be a small reduction in the basic rate of UC in 2029, with the new measures expected to raise £500m"
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    · 3 days ago
    Expect furher benefit cuts in the spring statement. Possibly making the PIP assessment even harder to claim according to the bbc website.

    "Late on Tuesday, it emerged that Reeves would widen her cuts to welfare after the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), which monitors the government's spending plans, estimated the welfare system reforms would not save the £5bn as planned.

    The reforms include stricter tests for personal independence (Pip) payments, affecting hundreds of thousands of claimants.

    But it is understood the OBR assessed that many claimants facing losing health-related benefit payments would instead claim for more severe conditions"
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    · 3 days ago
    How can they rule conditions out in the media as pip isn't related to any comditions 
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    · 3 days ago
    Is there any reason to feel hope? This could literally kill my immediate family. My mother is 78, early signs of dementia, my brother who lives with her is on UC from ESA and previously IB, I live in private rent because council don't consider me vulnerable. I'm on pip, just awarded enhanced at review but only scored 4 on one thing, very easy to lose. My brother had inflammatory bowel condition and severe mental illness including psychosis and a suicide risk. I doubt he'd score 4 on any activity but never applied because couldn't bear the stress. My mum is far from wealthy, he house is in state of disrepair and will soon be unsafe. Neither my brother or I could work. My brother has to stay upstairs because the downstairs is too far from the toilet. Even applying for jobs would make me more ill, I'm already experiencing severe pain after pip review made me relapse. 
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      · 2 days ago
      @Gingin I will be emailing my MP. 
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      · 2 days ago
      @philip I know and I do appreciate the advice but I'm scared for his safety for when this does all come in or even once he realises what is coming. Doing my own forms caused me to relapse so I may take a leaf out of your book and see if s charity can help me. I hadn't thought of that, so thank you 
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      · 3 days ago
      @CMB The 4 points thing hasn't come in yet. I got a charity to fill in my form and got PIP.  Good luck anyway.
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      · 3 days ago
      @philip That is my plan but we're going to have to broach it very carefully with my brother, he hasn't realised that this will all see him forced to look for work. I've checked with the descriptors and I don't see how he can meet 4 points on any despite his mental health and physical health problems. MH services record him as stable and discharged with no monitoring/follow ups. Not because he's actually stable or not at risk but because that's how they operate these days. 
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      · 3 days ago
      @CMB Keep your chin up, we’re all scared but you’re not alone and people will fight this. We all have to play our part by emailing our MP- they need to see a flood of opposition from the public. There is reason to hope that their plans will at the very least have to be watered down. 
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    · 3 days ago
    The Conservatives will not be in favour, that's a rather sweeping statement. The Conservatives don't support benefit cuts. Labour MPs shedding crocodile tears don't wash with me. I see straight through them. They'll vote for it when the time comes. Their careers come first
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 days ago
    Re: Urgent Concerns About Flawed Green Paper Consultation on Disability Benefits

    Dear MP,

    I am writing to express my deep concern about the current Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) consultation titled “Modernising Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper”, which proposes significant changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Universal Credit (UC), and the Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

    While these changes will have profound and life-altering consequences for disabled people, the DWP has refused to consult on the most critical proposals, including:

    Abolishing the Work Capability Assessment (WCA)
    Freezing the UC health element (LCWRA) until 2029/30
    Introducing a new requirement to score at least 4 points in a single descriptor to receive the daily living component of PIP
    Merging PIP and UC assessments into a single system
    Restarting WCA reassessments ahead of its abolition

    These are major reforms with serious consequences for people with physical conditions, mental health challenges, neurodivergent profiles and fluctuating conditions — yet the public is being denied the opportunity to comment on them.

    Additionally, the DWP has withheld vital data on how many current claimants will be affected by these proposals. This includes:

    The number of people who will lose their PIP entitlement under the new rules
    Which health conditions are most at risk
    The projected financial and wellbeing impact on those affected

    This lack of transparency and accountability undermines the consultation process and potentially makes it unlawful, following the High Court’s ruling in January 2024 on similar grounds regarding the WCA.

    I am asking you to take urgent action by:

    Raising this matter in Parliament or the Lords, and asking the DWP to:
    Publish the missing impact data
    Extend and reopen the consultation to include all major proposals
    Calling for a genuine consultation process, co-designed with disabled people and user-led organisations
    Supporting or initiating parliamentary questions to hold the DWP accountable for the omission of key issues from the consultation
    Opposing any legislation based on this consultation until it has been subject to full public scrutiny

    This Green Paper risks causing serious harm to thousands of disabled people — not just through its policy proposals, but through the way it is being conducted. A consultation that does not allow people to respond to the most important questions is not just flawed — it is undemocratic.

    Please stand up for fairness, transparency, and the rights of disabled people by challenging this process and demanding a lawful, open, and inclusive approach.

    Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I would be grateful for a response outlining your position and any steps you plan to take.

    Yours sincerely,

    **************Copy and paste the above letter and email it to your local MP and Councillors. We must all stand together and fight these cruel and immoral disability benefit cuts********************

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      · 3 days ago
      @Scorpion @scorpion - i would write to her anyway. Similar to signing a petition or protesting on the street, greater numbers catch the government's and the media's attention. The only way this government will u turn on these cuts is through a massive public backlash   
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      · 3 days ago
      @Grumpy Grey OK.
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      · 3 days ago
      @Scorpion Yes, but writing to her reinforces her position and provides her with ammunition. Send it anyway.
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      · 3 days ago
      @Bern400 Sent mine just now
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      · 3 days ago
      @Bern400 Yep, this is a great letter.

      As far as I'm concerned, I won't need to write to my MP, as she has been fighting against benefit cuts way before the damn green paper from hell has been published.

      She got suspended from the Labour Party of Keir Starmer In July 2024 for having voted against the two-child benefit cap. and now she says:

      "I will not stand by and see cuts to benefits cost lives in my constituency."
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    · 4 days ago
    Some encouraging news for a change. Although, whether the Government take heed is another matter entirely.

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    · 4 days ago
    Please can someone help me! I can't figure out how to post in the forum!  I was on ESA and did the migration to UC when the letter came.  I was on income ESA (I think) WRAG, although they never contacted me, now it has reduced my payment to Standard Allowance UC which is £393 a month (+housing benefit) which is impossible to live off.  What is going on? Help please.  It doesn't mention anything about health anymore.
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      · 3 days ago
      @Clay You need to write in your journal to ask if you’re eligible for “transitional protection”? It’s a financial top up for claimants that were on a legacy benefit & have completed a “managed migration” onto universal credit. Hope that helps 
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      · 3 days ago
      @Clay Contact your work coach on your Universal credit journal.
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      · 3 days ago
      @Clay @Clay I don’t know the answer as going threw the migration myself but If you was on the esa WRAG then you must be seeing your work coach soon for an appointment so maybe ask them why it’s not been added on?It could be on your next month statement as the claim has only just started and moved across I’m getting my first statement Thursday next week 
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      · 3 days ago
      @Clay If you click on Forum there are a line of options just above the main title, one of them is new topic which you click on and then you can fill in the details of your question. You do have to have subscibed by the way to post a query.
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    · 4 days ago
    I have two disabled sons - different conditions. Both have faced DWP assessments. First son has an acquired brain injury causing all sorts of problems. His assessor was a woman ambulance driver. . The second son who has severe dyslexia , possibly other conditions and poor mental health. He was seen by a physical therapist who certainly didn't know much about the fore mentioned conditions. It lead to an appeal in which we were successful . The physical therapist said he had had training but it wasn't obvious. The appeal panel were more obviously expert in their fields particularly the doctor. So how are all these extra assessors going to be trained, when and who by? PIP  experts I don't think so. Good luck everyone fight for your rights
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      · 2 days ago
      @Linz Did he originally have a 4 for any activities in daily living component?
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      · 2 days ago
      @Carole When my husband was assessed nearly ten years ago, I mentioned that he had been awarded PIP (then DLA) enhanced on both physical & mobility. I then added that if the results differed from the original then who would be to blame? had the other assessor made the wrong decision? At this the assessor looked very concerned & did not answer.  Needless to say my hubby received the full enhanced on both. Bear in mind that they wish to be seen as  "singing from the same hymn book".
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    · 4 days ago
    Hi I work part time and get pip I suffer from autism my question is will autism be removed from the eligibility for pip please can someone answer this please as I’m worried I lose my pip
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      · 3 days ago
      @James Even if you don't get someone helping you like a carer or relative it doesn't matter there are lots of disabled people under this category so they couldn't use that against you it would be discrimination
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 days ago
      @John Pip is based on how your disability effects you I don't think they are going to take it of autistic people
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 days ago
      @John @John I don’t get pip and have autism and after 2028 when wca is gone I’m going to try the part time work in future but I think it does include autism under the dealing with other people one 2-3 points is for needs prompting to deal with people and the 4 points says needs substantial support so does that mean you need support worker and letters?I don’t  know my only carer is my mum that comes round once a week could always try it see what they say?
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    · 4 days ago
    hello everyone. Please see the lengthy response I received yesterday evening from my local MP in response to my letter regarding PIP (please see the thread under Liz Kendall's speech).


    Dear Matthew,

    Thank you for your email regarding the Government’s announcement on disability benefits.

    Firstly, I want to acknowledge that any change to the welfare system brings with it very strong feelings, and I understand why that it is. My sister was born with severe disabilities, and I know that people instinctively and rightly want to protect those who need the most protection. That is my instinct too.

    I have spoken to ministers in advance of these announcements to make clear my position that there will always be people with severe health conditions or disabilities meaning that they cannot work – and that they should continue to be supported. I also don’t support any language that will stigmatise people with long-term conditions. I am pleased that Ministers have reflected these conversations in the new policy proposals; people with severe lifelong conditions who will never work will now receive an additional premium to give them financial security, which did not exist before.

    In addition, a lot of people have been in contact with me to object to the Tory proposals to pay disability benefits in vouchers – the Labour Government is committed to not bringing in proposals for vouchers. Speaking in the House of Commons, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, also announced that there will be:
    •    Permanent above-inflation rises to universal credit – for the first time ever.
    •    No benefits reassessments for those who have a severe, lifelong disability.
    •    Stronger income protection for those who have paid in as they get back on track.
    •    No freeze on Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
    •    No means testing of PIP.
    •    No change to the mobility component of PIP.

    However, there should be nuance within this discussion. While there are not going to be cuts to the welfare system – it will continue to rise substantially – these changes aim will lower the steep rate of increase. After 14 years of failure the Conservative government left our welfare system in a woeful state – especially for those who are disabled or have a long-term illness, and especially for people who want to work but who feel locked out of it.

    People with long-term conditions and disabled people who can and want to work should have the same right to work and the same right to choices and opportunities as everyone else. From colleagues in Parliament with a range of disabilities, to the young man with Down Syndrome I met who was working in a restaurant in Exeter, many people living with disabilities already work, and want to work with the right support and adaptations.

    Indeed, here in Exeter we also have a fantastic team at PLUSS whom I have visited on several occasions. Their disability employment specialists work closely with people with disabilities to help them find employment that works for them. The "Ability not Disability" (AnD) programme, led by Learn Devon, has also helped over 200 people with disabilities into education, employment, or training. The scheme includes a "Job Guarantee" initiative, matching disabled individuals with employers for three months of paid work and training. This has led to many participants securing full-time positions, significantly boosting their independence and confidence.

    These are the sort of programmes we need to see more of, to help people to come off benefits and live their lives with dignity and purpose – and I’m very pleased that £1 billion of new funding will go into these services as part of these changes.

    The system built up by the Tories over 14 years has had the effect of writing off hundreds of thousands of people’s life chances, trapping them in a life of inactivity then blaming them for a rising benefits bill. This is not right, and this government aims to fix it.

    At present, the Work Capability Assessment asks people to demonstrate their incapacity to work to determine their access to financial support, based on an outdated and binary concept of ‘fit for work’ or ‘not fit for work’ – this does not reflect the complex reality and fluctuating nature of modern health, the range of jobs and adaptations available in the labour market, and the individuals who are actually affected by the system. We will therefore abolish the WCA and merge payments with PIP, to take out the unnecessary stress and time of undergoing two separate processes.

    The UK system is an international outlier – while many countries have seen a decrease in people claiming working-age sickness and disability benefits between 2019-2023, the UK has seen an over 30% increase in people claiming disability benefits and an over 20% rise in people claiming incapacity benefits.

    Research clearly shows that many economically inactive people want to work, if given the right support. Indeed, the welfare charity Z2K notes that 90% of claimants they have dealt with are afraid of looking for work due to the risk of losing their health-related benefits. This is clearly a system that isn’t working for anyone. So, the government will reduce the perceived risk of working, introducing a ‘right to try’ by legislating to guarantee that work in and of itself will never lead to someone being called for a reassessment. This is in addition to rules in place which allow people to try work and return to their old benefit without the need for reassessment if it doesn’t work out.

    In addition, when people are found to have ‘limited capability’ they often have no further engagement with the Jobcentre and therefore receive no routine support to develop and achieve their goals or overcome their challenges to move towards meaningful activity and work. Once people enter the Limited Capability Work Related Activity group less than 1% of people move into work each month. It is a national scandal that the Tories – and the Liberal Democrats who supported them for five of the last 14 years - have let people with long term conditions and disabilities in our communities down in this way.

    The Labour Government has the incredibly difficult task of fixing the huge economic and human cost of the Tories’ system. Since the pandemic, total spending on incapacity and disability benefits for working-age adults has soared from around £30 billion to around £50 billion, an increase of almost two-thirds, with the final bill by the end of this Parliament set to hit over £70 billion, a rise of a further £18 billion. £70 billion is more than a third of our current NHS budget and more than three times what we currently spend on policing and keeping our communities safe.

    There are also 5.2 million people with a long-term health condition who are out of work and economically inactive - of which, 2.8 million give long-term sickness as the main reason for being inactive. 1.8 million of our young people between 16-25 are not in education, employment or training. This is a monumental waste of potential for those individuals.

    The Conservative ideology underpinning our current welfare system for fourteen years has been characterised by the sheer scale of human potential it has squandered.

    This is why Labour’s approach to any reforms will be guided by 5 key principles:
    •    Protecting disabled people who are unable to work and support them to live with dignity.
    •    Stopping people from falling into long-term economic inactivity through early intervention and prevention.
    •    Restoring trust and fairness in the system by fixing the broken assessment process that drives people into dependency on welfare.
    •    Delivering better and more tailored employment support to get more people off welfare and into work - alongside a higher expectation to engage with that support.
    •    Ensuring the system is financially sustainable to keep providing for those who need it most.

    I understand how disconcerting it can be to those who claim these forms of benefits when there are going to be changes, and if this is your situation, please see the FAQs I have added to the end of this email.

    But without reform the welfare system will leave more and more people trapped in a life of unemployment and inactivity. I am committed to action that will fix our broken social security system, guided by the principles set out above, so that it supports those who can work to do so and protects those who cannot, whilst also putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock economic growth as part of our mandate for change.

    The Government is also taking decisive action to improve the lives of disabled people immediately. I welcome the £800 million investment in disability employment support announced in the Autumn Budget, as well as the redeployment of 1,000 work coaches to provide tailored help to sick and disabled people. It is also important that businesses are encouraged to create inclusive environments for disabled employees – so we can promote their recruitment and retention.

    Labour values are built on a simple but powerful idea: that every individual, regardless of background or circumstance, should have the support they need to make the most of their lives. Everyone who is capable of working deserves the security, dignity and autonomy that employment offers. There are some people who are not able to work, and it is vital that they are treated with compassion and respect. For those that can, it is equally critical that we restore the pathways to opportunity which are currently lacking for millions of people.

    On a last point, it is important to recognise that the welfare and benefits system must also be fair to taxpayers - it is unsustainable to allow a system to continue that traps people who can and want to work into unemployment and a life on benefits, while leaving people who work and pay tax to pick up an ever-larger bill.

    Please be assured I am committed to supporting people with long-term conditions and people with disabilities in our community. I will continue to monitor the Government’s plans and ensure the voices of disabled people are central to - and heard throughout - this process. I will also continue to support Exeter residents to access their correct benefits – if you or anyone you know in the Exeter constituency needs support, please do use this email to be in touch.

    With best wishes,



    Steve Race MP


    FAQs

    1. Will I still get my payments as normal?

    Yes, please be assured there will be no immediate changes to your health and disability related benefit payment. For more information about the proposed changes to health and disability benefits please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

    2. Will my claim be affected?

    No, there will be no immediate changes to your health and disability-related claim. If you have made a claim or are getting a health and disability-related benefit you should continue to contact us as usual and provide any information or changes to your circumstances and current needs.

    For more information about the proposed changes to health and disability benefits please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

    3. When will the changes to health and disability benefits be made?

    We are consulting on our proposed changes to health and disability benefits. The consultation will be open for at least 12 weeks and no changes will be made until we have reviewed all the responses, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

    4. Will my benefits change immediately?

    No, please be assured there will be no immediate changes to your health and disability related benefit payment. For more information about the proposed changes to health and disability benefits please see https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper

    5. I’ve submitted a claim but haven’t heard the outcome, will my claim be affected?

    No, there will be no immediate changes to your health and disability related claim. If you have made a claim or are getting a health and disability related benefit you should continue to contact us as usual and provide any information or changes to your circumstances and current needs.

    For more information about the proposed changes to health and disability benefits please see https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper




  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 days ago
    These cuts seem far worse than 2010 austerity measures on benefits yet apparently we are not returning to austerity. Well it doesn't feel like it from what Reeves and Toolmaker are doing to us and others in society.
    There has to be some cuts but this is going to far
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 days ago
    They've said that the WCA will be scrapped in 2028. They've also said that the new single assessment will come into effect from Nov. 2026.

    If someone currently on LCWRA is called for a reassessment, say sometime in 2027, will they be reassessed with the WCA, which will be still in place, or with the new terrifying single assessment?

    Thanks.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Scorpion lwca and wca are for universal credit claim it's just all stupid im refused pip for myself because I get carers allowance for my daughter and yet it's ok to be working full time on pip 
      yet lwca on universal credit is about the fact that your not even able to do anything jobcentre meeting and they are then able to keep their 420 for the fact even if they are in work now it's just all about joke
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 days ago
      @Scorpion The PIP 4 point change is from Nov 2026, its still only a PIP assessment.
      So if you get called in for a LCW assessment, it will be a WCA.

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