Latest news on PIP/UC changes
What’s changing, when
What you can do
New PIP test
PIP/UC News Archive
Campaigning tools
Using the links above you can find out more about the proposed changes to PIP and what you can do to challenge them. You can also take the proposed new PIP test online.
We'll also keep you up-to-date with all the news about the changes.
Latest News On PIP and UC Changes
We aim to share the most important PIP and UC changes news stories below. But please add any news or research that you find, in the comments section below.
25 June
Number 10 set to offer concessions to welfare rebels
The Guardian reports that number 10 is preparing to offer concessions to Labour MPs amid a major rebellion over the government’s welfare cuts. Downing Street is understood to be considering watering down changes to the eligibility for disability benefits which had been significantly tightened by the reforms in the bill. More than 120 MPs are poised to rebel against the government next Tuesday and there remains division at the top of government over how to stem the growing anger.
Starmer's team ask Labour MPs to remove names from rebel amendment that could bring down welfare bill
Cabinet ministers have been asking Labour MPs to take their name off a rebel amendment to the government's controversial welfare bill, Sky News can reveal. In an attempt to quell the mounting rebellion of more than 100 MPs across all wings of the party, cabinet ministers were instructed to ring around the signatories of the amendment in a bid to get them to back the welfare cuts ahead of a planned vote next Tuesday. . . Others were also told their actions could provoke a fresh leadership challenge and that they were aligning themselves with Nigel Farage in a bid to get them to back down.
Keir Starmer dismisses Labour welfare cuts rebellion as ‘noises off’
The Guardian reports that Keir Starmer has shrugged off mounting Labour unrest over his flagship welfare cuts, dismissing the backlash as “noises off” and insisting his party remains “pretty united” behind the need for change.
24 June
Kemi Badenoch offers to rescue Starmer’s welfare reforms as Labour rebellion grows
The Independent reports that Kemi Badenoch has offered to rescue Keir Starmer from his own Labour backbenchers after a massive rebellion threatened to bring down his welfare reforms. In a late intervention on Tuesday evening, the Tory leader stepped in to say her party would back the swingeing cuts to benefits, as more than 100 Labour MPs were gearing up to reject the plans when they are voted on next week.
Sadiq Khan joins growing Labour rebellion against disability benefit cuts
The Guardian reports that Sadiq Khan has become the most senior Labour figure yet to urge the government to drop its controversial disability benefit changes, supporting a growing Labour rebellion that threatens to derail the plans. The London mayor warned that the welfare bill, which more than 100 Labour MPs have already threatened to vote against in the Commons next week, would “destroy the financial safety net” for millions of people.
Keir Starmer says ‘clear moral case’ for disability benefit reforms despite rebellion by MPs
The Guardian reports that Keir Starmer will press ahead with his disability benefit reforms despite a growing rebellion from Labour MPs, as he said there was a “clear moral case” for change. Speaking before next week’s Commons vote on the measures, the prime minister defended plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip), arguing that the current system was unsustainable.
Labour’s benefit cuts will have ‘devastating’ impact on disabled women, say charities
The Guardian reports that Downing Street’s disability cuts will have a “devastating” impact on women’s health and dignity and could breach equality law, the government has been warned. Charities and disabled people’s organisations including Scope, Spinal Injuries Association, Inclusion London, ME Association and WinVisible told the Guardian that tightening eligibility for personal independence payments (Pip) would mean disabled women being discriminated against, due to their higher personal care needs compared with men.
Welfare reform bill: Rebel Labour MPs on why they back reasoned amendment
Labour List looks at some of the rebels’ explanations about why they have gone public, after weeks in which many MPs’ opposition was mainly conducted in private – and despite a reported recent escalation of disciplinary warnings about the consequences of rebellion.
A quarter of Scottish Labour MPs join welfare rebellion
The BBC reports that nine out of the party's 37 parliamentarians, including the chair of the Scottish affairs committee, have signed an amendment that would potentially allow them to block controversial changes to the benefits system.
Why defeat on unpopular welfare reforms could prove to be the end of Starmer
The Independent reports that it normally takes much more than just a year in power for a prime minister to face a full rebellion involving more than 100 MPs. While Sir Keir Starmer has had a very bumpy time at the start of his premiership, despite winning a massive majority, this is the first time he has been staring down the barrel of a defeat in a crucial vote in the Commons.
108 Labour rebels sign amendment to kill PIP cuts bill
Benefits and Work reports that 108 Labour rebels have signed an amendment to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill which, if it secured a majority, would kill the bill.
23 June
Is it 1 in 10, or 1 in 4, who will lose PIP?
Benefits and Work reports that Labour has repeatedly claimed that “only” one in ten claimants will lose their PIP daily living component as a result of the four-point rule. But the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) latest estimate is that one in four of all claimants who are assessed will lose their award. Which one is correct?
22 June
Labour’s cruel severe conditions criteria
Benefits and Work reports that Labour’s cruel “severe conditions criteria” (SCC) plan is not designed to protect seriously ill claimants as the government claims, it is intended to save money at their expense. Because tens of thousands of claimants too ill to ever work again will be forced to live for years on half the additional payment that current claimants receive.
21 June
Sir Keir Starmer scrambles to contain 'mass rebellion' among Labour MPs over welfare reforms
LBC reports that Sir Keir Starmer has met privately with dozens of MPs in a bid to quash a "mass rebellion" over the Government's welfare reforms. The prime minister held multiple one-on-one meetings with disgruntled MPs who have concerns over the controversial cost-cutting policy on Friday.
19 June
Ministers are secretly considering means-testing PIP, DWP admits, despite pledge in green paper
The Disability News Service reports that Labour ministers are considering whether to start means-testing personal independence payment, which is likely to cut billions of pounds a year more from benefits spending, new information secured from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed.
Labour MP resigns as government whip in protest at benefit cuts
The Guardian reports that the Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a whip in protest at the government’s welfare plans, saying she will not be able to vote for the cuts to disability payments.
Starmer's threats won't stop a rebellion on benefits cuts, Labour MPs warn
The ipaper reports that Sir Keir Starmer will not stop a rebellion over his welfare reforms by threatening Labour MPs, he has been warned. Those opposed to the Government’s proposed £5bn cuts to disability and incapacity benefits have insisted that warnings of suspension or exclusion from ministerial roles are unlikely to deter them from voting down the plans.
Labour rebels say ‘you can’t suspend us all’ as they hit back at threats over benefits cuts vote
The Independent reports that rebel Labour MPs have hit back at Sir Keir Starmer after they were threatened with suspension or blacklisting for voting against his benefit cuts. Party whips have warned backbenchers they will be ruled out of government jobs and could lose the Labour whip if they reject plans to slash the welfare bill by £5bn.
18 June
UK benefits system could collapse if payments are not cut, Liz Kendall says
The Guardian reports that Britain’s benefits system faces collapse without cuts to disability payments, Liz Kendall has said, as the government published plans that put it on a collision course with dozens of angry Labour MPs.
Whips Urge Labour Rebels To Abstain On Welfare Bill
Government whips are urging unhappy Labour MPs to abstain on the Welfare Bill as Downing Street struggles to abate a backbench rebellion, PoliticsHome understands.
Rayner refuses to rule out punishing Labour MPs who rebel over welfare cuts
Angela Rayner has refused to rule out punishing Labour MPs who vote against the government’s plans to cut disability benefits in the coming weeks, as ministers prepare to publish the full details of their proposals for the first time.
Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Updates
Benefits and Work reports on the publication of the bill to impose the first of the Green Paper cuts, to PIP and UC.
17 June
Government officials brace for up to 50 Labour MPs rebelling against welfare bill
The Guardian reports that government officials have admitted they made a mistake by making the financial case for cutting benefits as they steel themselves for as many as 50 Labour MPs rebelling against the welfare bill that is being published on Wednesday.
16 June
Disability benefit cuts will harm hundreds of thousands, MPs warn: 'A disaster on every front'
Disability benefit cuts will have a “catastrophic” impact on disabled people, a group of MPs has warned, with some individuals set to lose almost £900 per month. . . The plans – outlined in the Pathways to Work green paper – have been roundly slated by activists and charities. Today (Monday 16 June), the All-Party Group (APPG) on Poverty and Inequality has joined this chorus of condemnation, warning that the cuts could make a “dire situation” for disabled people “much worse”. . .More than 40 members of the APPG are Labour MPs. There is growing unease among the party regarding the proposals; last month, dozens signed a letter describing the welfare changes as “impossible to support”.
15 June
Government’s welfare plans must be pushed through, Starmer says
The Guardian reports that the government’s welfare plans have to be pushed through, Keir Starmer has said, indicating that there will be no further concessions in the face of a potentially significant Labour rebellion over cuts to disability benefits.
13 June
Ministers step up efforts to quell growing rebellion over UK welfare bill
The Guardian reports that the government is intensifying efforts to quell a growing rebellion over welfare cuts, with whips stepping up contact with MPs and strategists drawing up plans for a cabinet reshuffle in case of resignations.
Will Kendall’s concessions win over Labour rebels?
Liz Kendall has offered three concessions to Labour rebels unhappy about the Green Paper cuts. But will they be enough to sway a significant number of dismayed
12 June
Reeves rules out disability benefit cuts U-turn but says rules may be tweaked
The Guardian reports that Rachel Reeves has ruled out a U-turn on disability benefit cuts but said she was “taking into account” representations from Labour MPs, and could tweak the qualification rules for the benefits.
10 June
Missions impossible: Can Starmer’s Cabinet get behind his plan?
The Politico website reports that ministers are drawing up plans to introduce a bill to parliament next week containing Labour’s controversial cuts to disability benefits, in time for a showdown vote — the “second reading” — in the week of June 30 or later. One person with knowledge of the plans said the bill was likely to be tightly focused on the cuts, while other welfare reforms will come only later in the year. This will concentrate Labour MPs’ anger, but could also allow the government to classify it as a “money bill” — meaning it would be made law within a month of being sent to the House of Lords even if peers still object. Officials have also held talks about putting the bill through a “committee of the whole house,” preventing lengthy evidence sessions that could question experts and campaigners.
9 June
Winter fuel payments threshold to rise to £35,000, Rachel Reeves announces
The Guardian reports that all pensioners with an income of £35,000 or less a year will have the winter fuel payment restored in full, Rachel Reeves has announced, after weeks of uncertainty over the decision to make a U-turn on scrapping the benefit.
Starmer’s welfare cuts will see 340,000 more people in poverty than previously predicted, charity warns
The Independent reports that the impacts of the government’s welfare cuts are likely to push tens of thousands more people into poverty than previously predicted, a major foodbank charity has warned. Trussell said 340,000 more people in disabled households could face hunger and hardship by the end of the decade.
8 June
Disability benefit cuts will affect Wales disproportionately, campaigners say
The Guardian reports that disability benefit cuts planned by the UK government will disproportionately impact the lives of people in Wales, campaigners have said. Research released by the data analytics company Policy in Practice last week estimated that 190,000 people – 6% of the population – could have their incomes slashed by up to 60% by the end of this parliament if eligibility for personal independence payments (Pip) is tightened as proposed in a March green paper.
7 June
Thousands join anti-austerity march in London to protest against Labour’s cuts
The Guardian reports that thousands of people marched through central London on Saturday calling for an end to public service and welfare cuts, in the first big anti-austerity march under Keir Starmer’s Labour government. The campaign group People’s Assembly, which organised the demonstration, called on the government to “tax the rich and their hidden wealth to fund public services”.
6 June
Poll: Most Labour members back full reversal of welfare and winter fuel cuts
Labour members want to see the government U-turn on welfare reforms and go further in fully reversing winter fuel cuts, exclusive polling by Survation for LabourList has revealed.
Citizens Advice Data Insights: Spotlight on Disability
Citizens Advice (CA) are advertising a free online event at which a panel of experts will explore CA data on the finances of disabled people and think through the possible impact of cuts and wider reforms, ahead of the main parliamentary stages and the deadline for green paper consultation responses.
5 June
Lead shoes instead of a life ring
Martin Lewis' Money and Mental Health Policy Institute finds that PIP reforms will have a “catastrophic impact” on people’s finances and mental health, and will drive people out of the workplace
4 June
I went to a DWP benefit cut consultation: Here’s what I found
The Independent publishes an account of a Green Paper consultation which reveals "Attendees were told how important their views were – but it speaks volumes that we were handed leaflets with the number of the Samaritans on it."
3 June
Green Paper progress update
Benefits and Work provides a look at what has happened so far and what still needs to be done.
31 May
DWP chief Liz Kendall to face Labour MPs as government braces for benefits revolt
The Mirror reports that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to address the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) ahead of a major vote this month on cuts to sickness and disability benefits
30 May
Prepare to challenge Labour PIP cuts tweaks
Benefits and Work warns that claimants and campaigners may want to start giving thought to how they will challenge any last minute tweaks Labour seek to introduce to the Green Paper proposals in the hope of winning over back bench MPs.
29 May
Shock of activists as disability minister ignores disabled woman who collapsed on floor after cuts meeting
The Disability News Service reports that the disability minister has been accused of a “shocking lack of empathy” after walking past a disabled woman who collapsed on the floor at the end of a meeting about government plans to cut disability benefits by billions of pounds.
Benefit cap could see countless PIP claimants left homeless after cuts, but DWP has no idea how many
The Disability News Service reports that thousands of disabled people could lose out on thousands of pounds a year in housing benefit – and face eviction – because of the government’s cuts to disability benefits, but ministers have no idea how many will lose out and risk homelessness.
28 May
Citizens Advice condemn Green Paper cuts in hard hitting report
Benefits and Work reports that Citizens Advice (CA) have condemned the government’s Pathways To Work Green Paper in a hard hitting report of their own, entitled ‘Pathways To Poverty’.
27 May
Disabled celebrities urge Keir Starmer to scrap ‘inhumane’ benefit cuts
More than 100 of the UK’s most high-profile disabled people, including Liz Carr, Rosie Jones, Ruth Madeley and Cherylee Houston, have called on the prime minister to abandon “inhumane and catastrophic plans to cut disability benefits”.
Labour is taking the Pip – and disabled people have had enough
Actor Cherylee Houston tells the Guardian why so many deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent public figures have pulled together to launch the campaign #TakingThePIP
Half of ‘red wall’ voters disapprove of Labour’s handling of benefits, says poll
The Guardian reports that nearly half of all “red wall” voters disapprove of the way Keir Starmer’s government has dealt with benefits-related policy, a poll has found, as ministers faced continued pressure over winter fuel and disability payments, and the two-child benefit cap.
25 May
Protesters take to the streets of Swansea and Cardiff over plans to cut disability benefits
ITV video report on protests in Swansea and Cardiff.
23 May
There is an alternative, Labour MPs tell Reeves
The BBC reports on Labour MPs suggesting alternatives to cuts to welfare and notes:
One ambitious backbencher has backed a land tax and argued for £20bn of revenue-raising, including a revaluation of council tax in England, and higher levies on the savings and investments of high earners.
Admittedly, that was in 2018.
And that backbencher's name? Rachel Reeves.
Jittery Labour MPs divided over benefits cuts
The BBC reports that this week, Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers redoubled their efforts to win over Labour MPs minded to join what could be the biggest rebellion yet against his government.
21 May
Work won’t cut it: income from employment and benefits for disabled people
A Citizens Advice briefing presents analysis of how incomes for disabled people would change, if cuts to Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit were introduced today and the people affected were able to move into paid employment. In many cases, people would see only a small increase in income by working full-time - and in some situations, they could actually end up worse off. This also relies on the very unrealistic assumption that people currently considered unable to work can suddenly take on a full-time job. For many, part-time work is a more realistic option than full-time employment. But moving into part-time is more likely to result in a loss of income, and the financial impact is typically much greater.
Committee of MPs urge Starmer to pause disability cuts amid poverty fears in letter seen by ITV News
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is being advised to urgently pause the Government's plans to cut disability and health benefits by Parliament's work and pensions committee, ITV News can reveal. The cross-party group, chaired by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, has expedited the conclusions of a report into the reforms - and has said they should not go ahead without a comprehensive impact assessment.
Unions can defeat Labour's welfare cuts, PCS leader says
The Morning Star reports that the leader of Britain’s biggest Civil Service union announced plans today for a campaign to defeat Labour’s proposed welfare reforms. Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Fran Heathcote’s intervention came a day after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced a back-bench rebellion over his government’s plans to cut disability benefits...Today, Ms Heathcote told a fringe meeting at PCS’s annual conference in Brighton: “In the next few weeks we will work together with Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), with other trade unions, with MPs and anybody else to defeat the proposals in this green paper."
Health and disability benefit reforms could boost employment by up to 105,000, but gains dwarfed by poverty-inducing income losses
The Government’s plans to reform health and disability related benefits and increase employment support could boost employment by up to 105,000 by the end of the Parliament. But these welcome gains are not enough to prevent the reforms from pushing hundreds of thousands of families into poverty, according to new Resolution Foundation research published today (Tuesday).
The report notes that the full package of reforms, which also include a boost to the standard rate of Universal Credit (UC) and abolition of reforms to Work Capability Assessment, creates lots of small net winners, but nearly as many large net losers.
20 May
Our £5bn disability benefits cut will stop welfare state collapsing, says Kendall
The Guardian reports that the work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, will double down on Labour’s £5bn disability benefits cuts on Wednesday, claiming she is reforming the welfare state to save it from collapse.
17 May
No 10 actively investigating winter fuel payment changes as fears grow over voter anger
Downing Street is actively investigating changes to the controversial winter fuel payment cut over growing concerns about the policy’s deep unpopularity among voters. No 10 has stepped up its work on reviewing the policy by carrying out internal polling and focus groups on how voters would respond to potential modifications to it.
Reeves faces anger from her local party over plans to cut disability benefits
The Guardian reports that Rachel Reeves’ local Labour party will call for the chancellor to abandon her plans to cut disability benefits as rebellion among MPs over the policy grows. The Leeds West and Pudsey constituency Labour party (CLP), which campaigned to return Reeves to parliament last year as its MP, has agreed to write to her “as soon as possible” to make clear it does not support the cuts.
16 May
Government considers welfare reform concessions as Labour MPs threaten to revolt
Senior Government figures have accepted that there will need to be concessions if they are to win a parliamentary vote on controversial welfare reforms, ITV News understands. Ministers and officials are weighing up what they can offer amid huge anger across the parliamentary party, with dozens of MPs making clear that they are prepared to vote against the changes.
Benefits cuts threaten school-readiness target
Schools Week reports that ministers have not assessed the impact savage cuts to disability benefits – plunging 250,000 more people into poverty – will have on their school-ready metric, part of Labour’s education opportunity mission. Sir Keir Starmer has set a target that 75 per cent of children will have a “good” level of development by the time they start school in 2028. The proportion is currently 68 per cent. But education leaders say reforms to disability benefits could threaten that target.
Rise in disabled people facing homelessness in England
The BBC reports that more than 60,000 disabled households in England faced homelessness last year, an increase of nearly 75% since 2019, official figures show. Analysis of government data by the homelessness charity Crisis also shows the amount of social housing given to disabled people has gone down.
15 May
Labour revolt grows ahead of key welfare vote, with 50 MPs set to rebel
ITV reports that 50 Labour MPs are set to rebel against government plans to radically change the welfare system, paving the way for the prime minister's biggest revolt yet. . . While 42 MPs have come out publicly, more than 100 MPs are understood to have signed a private letter urging the government to delay the changes and rethink. ITV News understands there are at least six MPs who have signed both letters.
Kendall refuses to apologise after misleading MPs four times in 23 minutes about PIP cuts
The Disability News Service reports that Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall has refused to apologise after repeatedly misleading MPs by suggesting that her planned cuts of billions of pounds to personal independence payment (PIP) were linked to supporting disabled people into work.
Labour knowingly hugely discriminating against women for PIP cuts
Benefits and Work reports that the Labour Party is knowingly hugely discriminating against women by using its 4 point or higher rule to reduce the number of personal independence payment (PIP) awards. Currently, daily living component award rates for males and females are just 0.7% apart, but from November 2026 under Labour’s plans, 32% of male claimants are likely to get an award, compared to 25% of female claimants, a ten times greater difference
13 May
Disability benefits cuts definitely going ahead, minister insists - and more not ruled out
ITV briefly interview Stephen Timms and reports that benefits for some disabled people are definitely being cut, a minister has told ITV News, despite a growing backbench rebellion of more than 40 Labour MPs. Timms said "We're bringing forward the proposals. And I expect them to reach the House of Commons in the next couple of months. And I'm very confident that we will get the support there to make the changes that are needed."
UK jobs market continues to weaken
The BBC reports that the UK's job market has continued to weaken with the number of workers on payrolls falling in the first quarter of the year. The number of job vacancies also fell again, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
12 May
Work on combined PIP assessment has begun
Benefits and Work reports that in a desperate effort to distract attention from the growing anger over the proposed personal independence (PIP) cuts, Liz Kendall announced that work has begun on designing a new assessment which will combine the doomed work capability assessment (WCA) with the PIP assessment.
DWP buried damning reports showing work coaches unable to help disabled claimants
Benefits and Work reports that the DWP very quietly published a series of damning disability benefits related reports at 4pm on Friday 2 May, on the eve of a bank holiday and on a day when the news was dominated by the results of the local elections held the day before.
'Up to 100 Labour MPs' warn Keir Starmer of rebellion on benefit cuts
The National reports that as many as 100 Labour MPs have signed a letter warning Keir Starmer that they will not support sweeping cuts to disability benefits, according to reports.
9 May
Inside Labour's benefits rebellion as Keir Starmer faces biggest revolt yet
One MP told The Mirror of those previously wavering on a key benefits vote: 'A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips'
8 May
Disability benefit cuts impossible to support, 42 Labour MPs tell Starmer
The Guardian reports that more than 40 Labour MPs have warned the prime minister that planned disability cuts are “impossible to support” and have called for a pause and change in direction.
Police called to half-empty Green Paper consultation
Benefits and Work reports that the DWP’s Green Paper consultation programme hit a new low yesterday when police were called to deal with protestors who wanted to join a half-empty meeting in Manchester.
7 May
Disability benefit cuts to hit 700,000 families already in poverty, DWP forecasts show
The government’s planned disability benefit cuts will hit 700,000 families who are already in poverty, according to internal Department for Work and Pensions forecasts obtained by the Guardian.
What’s behind the rise in disability benefit claims?
Rising rates of disability colliding with greater financial hardship are pushing more people to seek support, argues the New Economics Foundation.
5 May
No 10 rethinking winter fuel payment cut after Labour slump in local elections
The Guardian reports that the government fears further electoral losses from unpopular policy as well as from planned £5bn of benefits cuts
3 May
Academics show Labour is overwhelmingly targeting its own voters with PIP cuts
Benefits and Work reports that a group of academics from Northern universities and health services have calculated how much income each Westminster parliamentary constituency may lose as a result of PIP cuts. Labour constituencies take 92 of the top 100 biggest losers places, with the North East and North West hardest hit, suggesting that PIP cuts are aimed squarely at Labour’s own voters.
PIP cuts blamed by many in Labour as one of causes of election losses
In a round-up of election news, Benefits and Work reports that many figures in the Labour Party are beginning to list the planned cuts to benefits, and personal independence payment (PIP) in particular, as one of the major causes of Labour’s electoral losses at this week’s elections.
2 May
Blundering DWP shares email addresses of all Green Paper consultation event participants
Benefits and Work reports that the blundering DWP yesterday shared the email addresses of all the attendees of the first Pathways to Work Green Paper virtual consultation event in a very basic breach of data confidentiality.
1 May
Man, 46, says he is 'absolutely petrified' of DWP benefits cuts as study raises fears
The Mirror reports that the Trussell Trust charity found that failing to tackle hunger and hardship plaguing Britain is costing the UK £75.6billion a year - and it could get worse due to benefits cuts
30 April
Mental health PIP claimants demonised as cover for massive assault on physical health awards
Benefits and Work reports that under both Conservative and Labour governments, the DWP have colluded with the press to demonise younger claimants living with mental health issues, ADHD and autism. Ministers have joined in, to create a smokescreen which obscures the politically inconvenient truth that the majority of those at risk of losing their personal independence payment (PIP) under the Green paper proposals are older people with physical health conditions – many of whom have worked all their adult life until they became ill.
29 April
Labour’s benefit cuts will cost UK economy billions, charity says
Trussell report finds that higher levels of poverty mean Britain is losing out on £38bn a year of potential output, according to the Guardian.
25 April
Starmer faces Labour revolt over plan to raid bank accounts of benefit claimants
The Guardian reports that Keir Starmer is facing a rebellion over his plan to use direct deductions from people’s bank accounts and the cancellation of driving licences as part of a government crackdown on welfare fraud and over-claiming.
Social Insecurity report by Amnesty International
Amnesty International argues that successive governments have failed to protect basic rights. Instead of dealing with what’s driving poverty and soaring living costs, this government is choosing to make cuts. It’s doing that by framing people who are disabled, ill, and unemployed as a ‘burden’. That narrative isn’t new, but it’s still working. Blame is being shifted onto the people most in need, while those in power avoid responsibility. Amnesty UK has been investigating how cuts, sanctions and systemic failings of the social security system are pushing people deeper into poverty. Our new report, Social Insecurity, shows the UK is breaching its human rights obligations, and it’s time for change.
24 April
Wales and north of England face disability cuts ‘double whammy’
The Guardian reports that a £5bn programme of disability benefits cuts planned by the UK government will disproportionately hit people living in Wales and northern England “entrenching deprivation”, according to new analysis. The consultancy Policy in Practice has looked at how the proposed changes would affect individual regions and local authorities, and found the impact across the UK starkly uneven.
23 April
PIP claimants ‘twice as likely’ to have serious debt as experts advise next steps
The Leicester Mercury reports that people on disability benefits like Personal Independence Payments or the Disability Living Allowance are twice as likely to be dealing with serious debts than their peers. Analysis from debt charity StepChange highlighted the staggering reality facing the most vulnerable communities.
Four out of seven Labour MPs on the DWP select committee lobbied FOR benefit cuts
The Canary reports that four of the seven MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee currently holding a mini inquiry into the Pathways to Work Green Paper are from the notorious ‘Get Britain Working’ group actively backing the cuts?
22 April
The unkindest cuts of all? Unions blast welfare reforms
Unions and disability campaign groups have expressed shock and condemned plans outlined by work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall and chancellor Rachel Reeves to cut welfare benefits by £5 billion — the biggest cut to disability benefits on record.
20 April
I claim PIP - Labour cuts will backfire and push people like me out of work
The i-paper reports that Labour’s plan to cut benefits to boost employment levels will backfire by pushing disabled people out of work, ministers have been warned. Disabled people in work who also depend on personal independence payments (PIP) told The i Paper they were being unfairly targeted for “soul-destroying” welfare cuts.
‘The whole policy is wrong’: rebellion among Labour MPs grows over £5bn benefits cut
The Guardian reports that Labour MPs opposed to the government’s massive £5bn of benefit cuts say they will refuse to support legislation to implement them, even if more money is offered by ministers to alleviate child poverty in an attempt to win them over.
17 April
Ministers scramble to avoid Labour rebellion on disability benefit cuts
The Guardian reports that ministers are scrambling to avoid a damaging rebellion this summer when MPs vote on controversial cuts to disability benefit payments, even offering potential rebels the chance to miss the vote altogether.
16 April
Most at risk PIP health conditions revealed
Benefits and Work has obtained details of the conditions which have the highest number of awards with no 4-point or higher descriptors. The figures, provided under the Freedom of Information Act, show that Labour's PIP cuts are overwhelmingly aimed at older, but still working age, claimants with physical health conditions, many of whom will have been employed for most of their adult life and many of whom will still be employed.
Almost nine out of ten standard rate PIP awards fail new test
Benefits and Work reports that Labour’s proposed new personal independence payment (PIP) 4-point rule will lead to almost nine out of ten current standard daily living awards failing on renewal, a freedom of information request has revealed. In effect, Labour are hiding the virtual abolition of the standard rate behind a seemingly small change to the scoring system.
Where will cuts to sickness and disability benefits fall hardest?
New analysis by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation highlights how cuts to sickness and disability benefits will fall most heavily on Labour’s heartlands. Of the 100 constituencies with the highest proportion of working-age people in receipt of health-related social security, only 8 are not held by the Labour Party. Exclusive research from More in Common also finds that voters – and particularly those who voted Labour in 2024 – are opposed to these cuts.
15 April
Union prepared to 'bring NI to standstill' in welfare row
The BBC reports that a major trade union has said it is prepared to bring Northern Ireland to a "standstill" to put pressure on Westminster and Stormont over planned changes to welfare payments.
PIP cuts will cost people living with MS their jobs
The proposed Green Paper changes are supposed to be all about getting people into employment. But as a number of claimants living with multiple sclerosis (MS) told the Benefits and Work PIP survey, cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) will have exactly the opposite effect – it will cost them their jobs.
More Labour MPs increase pressure on Keir Starmer to tax wealth over disability cuts amid rebellion fears
More Labour MPs are set to heighten pressure on Keir Starmer to introduce a wealth tax instead of slashing disability benefits amid fears the government is heading for an explosive rebellion, The London Economic can exclusively reveal.
14 April
Proposed PIP cuts already causing harm to people living with SMI
The proposed changes to the PIP scoring system will affect many claimants living with severe mental illness (SMI) and some have already experienced a deterioration in their health, a Benefits and Work survey suggests.
‘There are alternatives to cutting PIP. Why aren’t we using them?’
Labour MP Peter Lamb tells Labour List why he won’t be supporting the PIP cuts.
‘Electoral wake-up call’: dozens of Labour MPs risk losing majorities over welfare cuts
The Guardian reports that at least 80 Labour MPs are at risk of losing their majorities over proposed welfare cuts, according to data shared between Labour MPs who are warning the government that the changes “pose a real electoral risk”.
11 April
Why efforts to get more disabled people into work are flawed
Citizens Advice looks at how the Pathways to Work green paper limits the government’s likelihood of getting more disabled people into work.
Jobs fears as disability scheme owes businesses thousands
The BBC reports that businesses employing disabled people say they are owed hundreds of thousands of pounds by the government, and fear they may have to let staff go. Under the Access to Work scheme, companies and employees can apply for grants to help support disabled people in the workplace.
10 April
Leading Disability Rights Organisations Demand Answers From Secretary of State
Disability Rights UK reports that twenty-one of England's Disabled People's Organisations have signed an open letter alongside Amnesty International, the world's leading human rights organisation, to demand answers to their serious concerns with the human rights implications of the 'Pathways to Work' Consultation.
8 April
Secret locations for Green Paper public consultations
Benefits and Work reports that government is keeping secret the location of venues for public consultations about the Pathways to Work Green Paper.
Ill and disabled people will be made ‘invisible’ by UK benefit cuts, say experts
The Guardian reports that hundreds of thousands of seriously ill and disabled people will become “invisible” and cut adrift from local support services as a result of the government’s £5bn programme of disability benefit cuts, experts have warned.
7 April
PIP changes will hurt Scottish claimants too
Benefits and Work reports that the Westminster benefits cuts will hurt Scottish claimants too, even though PIP has been replaced by adult disability payment (ADP) in Scotland. Westminster will be cutting payments for ADP and carers allowance - carer support payment in Scotland - by 11% by 2029-30.
Starmer promised to create a ‘partnership in power’ with Welsh Labour. He hasn’t – and trouble is brewing
The Guardian reports that while people all over England will feel the pain of the changes to PIP and UC, Wales will be hit disproportionately hard. In Cymru there are 275,000 people receiving Pip. This is 11% of our working-age people, compared with 7% in England.
4 April
Work and Pensions Committee inquiry into Green Paper reforms
The Work and Pensions Committee is undertaking a short inquiry into the impact of the Government’s proposals to reform the disability and health related benefits system, as set out in the Pathways to Work Green Paper.
2 April
Public do not support PIP cuts
A survey for the More in Common non-profit organisation has found that the majority of the public do not support the proposed cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and believe cost cutting, not getting people back into work, is the main reason for welfare reform.
1 April
27 Labour MPs now say they will vote against the Green Paper cuts
The Labour List website has updated its list of Labour MPs who have openly said they will vote against the Pathways to Work Green Paper cuts. There are now 27 MPs who say they will do so, up from 12 just a few days ago.
Only 2.5% of private rentals in England affordable on housing benefit, study finds
The Guardian reports that only 2.5% of private rented homes in England were affordable for people on housing benefit last year, with charities warning that more people will be pushed into rent arrears and homelessness as a freeze on the benefit takes effect. Claimants who rely on PIP or health premiums in UC to meet rent shortfalls will be threatened with homelessness if the Green Paper cuts go through.
The true scale and impact of benefit cuts for ill and disabled people
The New Economics Foundation reports that the cuts will hit ill and disabled people by almost £2bn more than what has been widely reported.
DWP condemned by statistics watchdog for "entirely misleading" WCA figures
The DWP is being forced to withdraw “entirely misleading” statistics about the number of people found incapable of work from a press release, launched as part of the softening-up process prior to the Pathways To Work Green Paper release.
