Today, the Government announced plans for the biggest cuts to disability benefits on record.
These plans will be catastrophic for disabled people. Leaving us unable to afford the essentials, and to cover the extra costs of disability. Nearly half of families living in poverty already include someone who is disabled.
We welcome the investment in tailored, non-compulsory employment support. But ripping £5 billion out of the benefits system by 2030 will completely undermine this positive step.
This is not the end though. Disabled people, allies, charities, and experts are urging the Government to think again. And MPs are starting to listen.
Over 25,000 campaigners have signed our petition against disability benefit cuts.
Nearly 5,000 campaigners have invited 636 MPs to speak to us about why disability benefits are a lifeline. If you haven't already, make sure your MP is one of them.
We’re not backing down. Over the coming weeks, we’ll:
- Explain what these proposed cuts mean for disabled people.
- Empower disabled people to respond to the Government’s consultation on these planned changes.
- Respond to the Government’s benefits consultation, guided by how disabled people have told us cuts would impact their lives.
- Run an event in Parliament to tell MPs about the extra costs disabled people face.
- Continue meeting with MPs to get them to act against cuts.
- Keep up the public pressure to make sure the real impact of cuts on disabled people is not forgotten.
We know this is a worrying time for many of you. We will continue fighting against cuts, and for a disability benefits system that works for disabled people. This is not the end.
If you’re concerned about these changes, you can contact our friendly helpline team for advice. Call us on 0808 800 3333, or email helpline@scope.org.uk.
Or contact one of the community team Community@scope.org.uk
