The UK government’s proposed Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cuts could have devastating effects on millions of disabled people. Adam Gabsi, who has multiple sclerosis, relies on PIP to cover essential costs such as electricity for his wheelchair and accessible transport.
The Labour government is considering a £5bn reduction in disability benefits, including a real-terms freeze in PIP payments for 2026-27, meaning they won’t rise with inflation. This could severely impact the 3.7 million PIP claimants who depend on the benefit for daily living expenses.
For many disabled people, employment is not a realistic option due to accessibility barriers and limited remote work opportunities. Furthermore, Universal Credit (UC) claimants who are medically unfit to work face additional real-terms cuts, exacerbating financial hardship.
Gabsi, now co-chair of Inclusion London, highlights the mental health toll of these cuts, leading to increased anxiety and relapses for those with chronic illnesses. The government has yet to respond, but public backlash could lead to a U-turn on benefit cuts.
These cuts threaten the independence and well-being of disabled people, raising urgent concerns about social justice and financial security in the UK.
#PIPcuts #DisabilityRights #UKWelfare #UniversalCredit #CostOfLivingCrisis