Autumn Statement 2023 - Scope's Information and Advice

Rosie_Scope · November 2023

How the 2023 autumn statement will affect disabled people

There was a lot to unpick in the Autumn Statement on the 22nd November. You can read the statement and accompanying documents in full on the government's website, but here's everything that you need to know.

We know a lot of disabled people will be worried by some of the announcements in the autumn statement. If you are concerned about any of these issues, you can get in touch with our helpline. Our friendly advisors can provide free, independent and impartial advice and support on issues that matter to disabled people and their families.

We will continue to call on the government to provide better employment support for disabled people and a fairer benefits system. You can keep up with our campaigning, research and what we’ve done so far on our website.

Changes announced to the work capability assessment (WCA)

After lots of speculation in recent weeks, the government has confirmed some changes to the WCA.

It is important to note that these changes will not affect existing claims. It will apply to new claims only and won’t be implemented until 2025.

The government wants to reduce the number of people who are declared unfit for work. This means people who are too unwell to work and have no requirement to look for work to receive benefits.

The government says that it wants the benefits system to better reflect the greater flexibility now available in the world of work. But we know that the world of work hasn’t changed so dramatically that thousands of disabled people can suddenly work from home.

Under the changes, more people are expected to be declared fit for work and required to look for jobs or have their benefits cut. It will do this by changing some of the questions asked in the Work Capability Assessment.

Tougher measures for Universal Credit claimants

As part of its Back to Work Plan the government say they will invest to help tackle long-term unemployment, including supporting and incentivising unemployed Universal Credit claimants to find work.

But they are also proposing tougher measures. This looks like:

Phase 1: Unemployed claimants get offered more regular support.
Phase 2: If after 6 months, a claimant hasn't found a job they will be referred to the Restart programme. Restart is a 12-month intensive job search programme providing support to tackle barriers.
Phase 3: If, after 12 months on Restart, an individual has not found work, they will have a review with their Work Coach. This is to determine what future conditions might look like. If no suitable job exists locally, a claimant will be made to take on a time-limited mandatory work placement. If they refuse to accept this placement, their claim will be stopped. This will also end their access to additional benefits such as free prescriptions and legal aid.

These changes only apply to those who receive the Universal Credit standard allowance – not to those who also receive the health element of Universal Credit.

No one in the Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) or Limited Capability for Work (LCW) groups will face benefit sanctions and all support offered will be voluntary.

The changes will come into effect in 2024.

Threatening people with more sanctions will not lead to more disabled people getting into and staying in work. It will simply add to the stress and anxiety that disabled people already face.

Cost of living support

The government announced that benefits will increase by 6.7% from April 2024. But the positives of this are overshadowed by the changes announced to the WCA today.

Uprating benefits was the bare minimum the government needed to do to support people with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Life costs more if you are disabled, and the government is now winding down its cost-of-living payments. Crucially, no new targeted support was announced at the autumn statement despite bills remaining historically high. And the energy price cap is predicted to increase again this winter.

Government has also broken its promise to consult on an energy social tariff, which would make bills cheaper for disabled people.

Read the Autumn Statement 2023

Where to get help and support

It has been a really worrying time for many people over the past few weeks. If you're struggling and need some advice and support, please do reach out for some help.

Scope's Helpline

Scope's helpline provides free, independent and impartial advice and support on issues that matter to disabled people and their families.

Helpline | Disability charity Scope UK

Phone: 0808 800 3333

Email: helpline@scope.org.uk

Textphone: dial 18001 then 0808 800 3333.

Calls are free from UK landlines and mobiles.

Mental health resources

If you're struggling with your mental health:

Mind: have lots of useful information on their website
Hub of Hope: shows mental health support available in your area
IAPT: to refer yourself for talking therapy, if you live in England
Getting urgent help for mental health (NHS)
Or get in touch with your GP to chat through your options

Should you need someone to talk to urgently who'll listen without judgement:

Samaritans: call 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org
SHOUT: text SHOUT to 85258 to speak to a volunteer over text
CALM: call 0800 58 58 58, or use their live web chat, between 5pm and 12am