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NewsProposed DWP PIP changes slammed with minus £138 warningThe Chancellor has been warned of the ‘devastating impact’ she could haveleicestermercuryBookmarkShareCommentsNewsBySamantha
LeathersMoney & Lifestyle writer06:00, 12 MAR 2025BookmarkExperts are warning vulnerable disabled households could be at risk under some proposals (Image: GETTY)Get the latest Leicestershire
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Join us on WhatsAppAhead of the Chancellor’s spring statement later this month and a slew of changes due on taxes and benefits next month, charities across the nation are speaking out against some of the
proposed and unconfirmed changes. Particularly around Labour’s Get Britain Working policy initiative which some believe could see drastic changes to Personal Independence Payments, PIP.
PIP is currently the leading disability benefit on offer from the DWP, but Chief Executive at the national disability charity Sense, James Watson-O’Neill, warned the government may be
misunderstanding how it actually works if it plans to make reforms here. He slammed: “Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has nothing to do with work.
“It exists because living with a disability means facing higher costs, from increased energy bills to specialised equipment and specific diets. These additional expenses won’t disappear if
eligibility is tightened. It will only plunge more disabled people into poverty.
“Cutting benefits will have a devastating impact on disabled people and their families. Making it harder to access benefits won’t help disabled people find jobs either. It will only deepen
the struggle.”
Instead, he urged the government to instead focus on their efforts on making work more accessible to disabled people rather than cutting their support. He shared: “Assistive technology needs
to be swiftly rolled out in job centres. Work coaches must be expertly trained. And disabled people with complex needs who cannot work need protections – not sweeping benefits cuts.”
Sense isn’t the only charity speaking out against the proposed reforms, as Rebecca Lamb, external relations manager at Money Wellness, warned the Chancellor needs to be careful. She noted:
“We understand the need to reduce the overall benefits cost to the country, but it is essential that any changes do not leave the most financially vulnerable people struggling.”
The free debt counselling service highlighted that their own data shows people claiming disability or incapacity benefits are already struggling financially with an average disposable income
of -£138. Meaning they are over £100 in debt each pay cycle compared to -£9 for those in work and not claiming these benefits.
She also doubled down on James’ point adding: “The reason for PIP seems to have become lost in the debate. It is important to recognise that it was never designed to get people back into
work—it exists to help cover the additional costs associated with being disabled or having a long-term health condition.
“These costs, such as specialist equipment, transport, and higher energy bills, can make day-to-day living far more expensive. Any reform must recognise this and ensure that those with
disabilities or long term health conditions are not pushed further into financial crisis.”
Other organisations have written to Rachel Reeves pleading with her to put safeguards in place for disability benefits in the upcoming spring statement. The statement is due on March 26 and
looking at the current financial climate, experts predict there will be a number of spending cuts announced to add onto the changes due to start in April from Reeves’ October Budget.
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