The cost of cuts to disability benefits: Our open letter to the Chancellor

Right now, the government is considering changes to disability benefits. But for millions of disabled people, these benefits are a lifeline. They are the difference between surviving and being pushed deeper into poverty. Through our Cost of cuts campaign, we are making sure disabled people's voices are heard.

We have written to the Chancellor, alongside a collection of charities, urging the Government to think again. Our full letter is below.

Dear Chancellor, 

We are writing to you as a collection of charities to urge you to think again about cuts to disability benefits. 

Disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the Limited Capability for Work Amount, can be a lifeline for disabled households and can enable people who receive PIP to work. Making cuts to disability benefits would have a catastrophic impact on disabled people up and down the country. Scope’s analysis of government figures shows that without PIP, a further 700,000 more disabled households could be pushed into poverty. 

Life costs more for disabled people. Huge numbers already live in poverty as a result of these extra costs. The impact of any cuts to disability benefits would be devastating. 

We agree with the Government’s ambition to support more disabled people into work. However, making cuts to disability benefits will not achieve this goal or fix the system. In fact, there is little evidence to suggest cutting benefits increases employment outcomes. We know the benefits system is broken and needs reform. That there are disabled people out of work who want to work given the right support. And for some disabled people work isn’t appropriate. Changes to welfare must start here. Not with cuts. 

The Government has an opportunity to work with disabled people and the sector to bring about meaningful change. We want disabled people to be heard and supported by the Government. The needs and voices of the disability community should be at the heart of the Government’s plans. Disabled people should not be an afterthought.   

We would urge you to safeguard disability benefits from cuts, we fear the cost of cuts is too great. 

Yours Sincerely, 

• Mark Hodgkinson, Chief Executive, Scope  
• Caroline Collier, Chief Executive, Inclusion Barnet 
• Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive, National Autistic Society  
• Charles Colquhoun, Chief Executive, Thomas Pocklington Trust 
• Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice 
• James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive, Sense 
• Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive, Mencap 
• Kamran Mallick, Chief Executive, Disability Rights UK 
• Matt Stringer, Chief Executive, RNIB 
• Nick Moberly, Chief Executive, MS Society 
• Paul Kissack, Chief Executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation 
• Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive, Mind 
• Tom Lawson, Chief Executive, Turn2Us 
• Ayla Ozmen, Director of Policy & Campaigns, Z2K 
• Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research and Impact, Trussell  
• Juliet Tizzard, Director of External Relations, Parkinsons UK
• Peter Osbourne, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Guide Dogs 

Cuts to disability benefits are not inevitable. Take action to save our lifeline.