The Universal Credit Bill becomes law. Here are the changes to disability benefits you need to know

I have heard from my Lib Dem MP !

Thank you for contacting me about the Government’s proposed welfare reforms.The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill 2024–25 returned to the House of Commons for its Third Reading on 9 July 2025. I voted against the Bill. Sadly, despite widespread concern, the Bill has now passed.

I continue to believe this legislation threatens to harm the very people our welfare system is meant to protect. The Government should not have needed a major backbench rebellion to recognise what was clear from the outset: these cuts risk causing real hardship to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. Worse still, by pushing some individuals out of work instead of helping them into it, this policy could end up costing more in the long run, thus creating a false economy at the expense of people's dignity and security.

Even now, MPs have still not been given a proper impact assessment. Those directly affected were not meaningfully consulted. This is no way to approach such a vital part of public policy. Welfare reform should be thoughtful, evidence-based, and built on cross-party consensus, with the aim of helping people into work while supporting our health and care systems.If the Government were serious about reducing welfare costs, it would also be serious about tackling the root causes of rising need, particularly the crisis in our NHS and social care, which is driving chronic ill health and forcing more people out of the workforce.

Carers, too, have been shamefully overlooked throughout this process. Their voices must be central to any future proposals. Ministers must ensure that the Timms Review listens to carers and the organisations that support them, to understand the real-world impact of these changes, not only on families, but on the NHS and social care services.The Liberal Democrats continue to believe there is a better way.We want to make it easier for disabled people to access work—by raising awareness of the Access to Work scheme and making it faster and simpler to use. We are committed to closing the disability employment gap through targeted strategies and specialist support.We are also calling on ministers to take serious, practical steps to reduce the welfare bill by:

• Ending the crisis in the NHS and social care starting by completing the long-promised social care review by the end of 2025.
• Tackling health problems early through greater investment in public health and primary care—ensuring everyone can see a GP within seven days.
• Helping disabled people reduce their living costs through free insulation and heat pumps for low-income households, and a fair social tariff to lower energy bills.
• Guaranteeing disabled people the right to work from home if they choose to—unless there are significant business reasons why this is not possible.
• Working with employers to build a more inclusive workplace for disabled and ill people, building on Charlie Mayfield’s upcoming review.
• Supporting carers to balance paid work with caring responsibilities, by introducing a fairer earnings taper to end the punitive Carer’s Allowance cliff edge.

The Government must now rethink its approach. That starts with scrapping this flawed Bill and going back to the drawing board. I will continue to speak out and vote against measures that undermine our welfare system and the people who rely on it.

Thank you again for getting in touch. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like to discuss this further.

if the above is true, and the new proposed unemployment insurance plans go through, people currently on CB ESA will be affected once they go to UC. They will be considered new claimants when it comes to the health element.

I am guessing that if you don’t qualify as severely disabled, yes

but if you are due to migrate from ESA I don’t think this will affect you Catherine.

Catherine, all we can do is wait now and see how this all unfolds. I am trying so hard to believe things will get better but its very difficult, I understand your anxiety and feel for you and everyone involved. Maybe try and see if you can do something you like doing, even if its eating a big slice of cake or slurping a nice milkshake☺️anything to distract you for a few mins, you have been a real trooper Catherine but even troupers need a little break as hard as it is, sending you a big hug 🤗