The cost of cuts to disability benefits: Our open letter to the Chancellor
Tomorrow, the government is expected to publish a green paper proposing changes to disability benefits. For millions of disabled people, these benefits are a lifeline. They are the difference between surviving and being pushed deeper into poverty.
How we've been making sure disabled people's voices are heard
As part of our Cost of cuts campaign, we have been driving a digital billboard van around Parliament, warning the government that cutting benefits will be a catastrophe for disabled people.
We have been supporting our storytellers to speak out in the media.
We have launched a petition to show that we are united against disability benefits cuts.
We have also written to the Chancellor, alongside a collection of charities, urging the government to think again. Our full letter is below.
How you can get involved
Cuts to disability benefits are not inevitable. Make disabled voices heard. Sign our petition
By adding your name, you’re showing the Government we are united against cuts to disability benefits.
Find out more about our Cost of cuts campaign.
Scope is here to help
We know media reports and speculation about disability benefit changes are worrying for many disabled people. If you are worried about benefits, Scope is here to help.
Our open letter to the chancellor
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
Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive, Versus Arthritis
Simon Francis, Coordinator, End Fuel Poverty Coalition
Kate Steele, Chief Executive Officer, Shine
Emma McNally, Chief Executive Officer, Tourettes Action
Hannah Tough, Chief Executive, Inclusion North
Matthew McGregor, Chief Executive, 38 Degrees
Richard Evans, Director of Engagement, MND Association
Rebecca Deegan, Director, Fair By Design
Sabine Goodwin, Director, Independent Food Aid Network
Dr Helen Bulbeck, Director of services and policy, braintrust - the brain cancer people
Paul Bristow, Chief Executive, Kidney Care UK
David Allen, Interim Chairman, The ME Association
Peter Foxton, CEO of National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS)
Sarah Sleet, CEO, Asthma + Lung UK
Mandy Crandale, CEO, National Survivor User Network
Caroline Stickland, Chief Executive Officer, Transport for All
Andrea Brown, Chief Executive, National Kidney Federation
Dr Lesley Kavi, Chair, PoTS UK
Andrew Fletcher, Chief Executive Officer, Muscular Dystrophy UK
Stewart McCulloch, CEO of Christians Against Poverty (CAP)
Mark Winstanley, Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness
Brian Dow, Chief Executive, Mental Health UK
Juliet Bouviere, CEO, Stroke Association
Paul Cheal, Chief Executive, Big Issue Group
Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG)
Cath Stanley, CEO, Huntington's Disease Association
Jan Russell, Chair, WAMES
Andy Barrick, Chief Executive, MSA Trust
Mike Beckett, CEO, DAWN
Rick Henderson, CEO, Homeless Link
Nick Carroll, Chief Executive, Together for Short Lives
Dr Dale Webb, CEO, National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society
Pippa Sargent, Chief Executive Officer, The Brain Charity
Helen Matthews, CEO, Cure Parkinson's
Frazer Scott, CEO, Energy Action Scotland
Liz Bayram, Chief Executive, AdviceUK
Kripen Dhrona, Chief Executive, The British Polio Fellowship
Georgina Carr, Chief Executive, The Neurological Alliance
Sally Callow, Managing Director, Stripy Lightbulb CIC
Amy Little, Head of Advocacy, Leonard Cheshire
Rich Collins, Chief Executive, GAIN (Guillain-Barré and Associated Inflammatory Neuropathies)
Gemma Peters, CEO, Macmillan Cancer Support
Simon Bull, Chief Executive, CMT UK
Austin Willett, Chief Executive, Different Strokes
David Woolley, Chief Executive, Your Voice Counts
Aneeta Prem, CEO, Trigeminal Neuralgia Association UK
Rob Music, Chief Executive, The Migraine Trust
James Needham, Chief Executive Officer, Help for Heroes
Dr Julian Spinks, Chair, RLS-UK
Sara Garland, Founder and CEO, The Daisy Garland Charity
Brian Logan, Chief Executive, Capability Scotland
Cheryl Ward, Chief Executive, Family Fund
Shantel Irwin, Chief Executive, Arthritis Action
Aisling Duffy, Chief Executive, Certitude
Alison Cooper, Chief Executive, Parity for Disability
Andrea Wiggins, Chief Executive, Vibrance
Angela Duce, Chief Executive, Harpenden Mencap
Angela Murphy, Chief Executive, Fitzroy
Anna McEwen, Chief Executive, Bromley Mencap
Anna O'Mahony, Chief Executive, Hollybank Trust
Azra Kirkby, Chief Executive, St Anne’s Community Services
Craig Crowley, Chief Executive, Action Deafness
David Coe, Chief Executive, AFK
Diane Hesketh, Chief Executive, Natural Breaks
Emma Morris, Chief Executive, Stockdales
Gabby Machell, Chief Executive, Learning Disability Network London
Gill Bryant, Chief Executive, Aurora Nexus
Hilary Crowhurst, Chief Executive, Milestones Trust
Ian Pritchard, Chief Executive, Alternative Futures Group
Irene Sobowale, Chief Executive, Brainkind
Jeff Skipp, Chief Executive, Ability Housing Association
Jill Rankin, Chief Executive, St Elizabeth’s Centre
Jim Kane, Chief Executive, Community Integrated Care
Jo Howell, Chief Executive, The Northan Care Trust
Jo Land, Chief Executive, Avenues Group
John Heritage, Chief Executive, David Lewis
Julie Bass, Chief Executive, Turning Point
Kathryn Courtenay-Evans, Chief Executive, Guideposts
Kerry Dearden, Chief Executive, Affinity Trust
Kevin Peacock, Chief Executive, Options for Supported Living
Lisa Hopkins, Chief Executive, SeeAbility
Lisa Wimborne, Chief Executive, Jewish Blind and Disabled
Lynette Barret, Chief Executive, National Star
Maria Mills, Chief Executive, Active Prospects
Mel Dunn, Chief Executive, Together Trust
Naomi Dickson, Chief Executive, Norwood
Neil Blanchard, Chief Executive, Southdown
Nicky Boland, Chief Executive, Outward
Paul McCay, Chief Executive, The Wilf Ward Family Trust
Rachael Dodgson, Chief Executive, Dimensions
Rachel Law, Chief Executive, PossAbilities
Rachel Peacock, Chief Executive, Making Space
Ray Booth, Chief Executive, Barnet Mencap
Rebecca Mansell, Chief Executive, British Deaf Association
Richard Franklin, Chief Executive, Kisharon Langdon
Robert Shanahan, Chief Executive, Aspens
Ru Watkins, Chief Executive, Hamelin
Ruth Gorman, Chief Executive, Imagine, Act and Succeed
Sally Daniels, Chief Executive, Henshaws
Sara Thakkar, Chief Executive, Camphill Village Trust
Sarah Burslem, Chief Executive, MacIntyre
Sarah Butcher, Chief Executive, Autism at Kingwood
Sarah Edwards, Chief Executive, Canterbury Oast Trust
Sarah Lantsbury, Headway East London
Stephen Veevers, Chief Executive, Hft
Sue Livett, Chief Executive, Aldingbourne Trust
Tracey Bush, Chief Executive, One Fylde
Valerie Waby, Chief Executive, Linkage Community Trust
Victoria Neish, Chief Executive, Coquet Trust
Kate Meakin, Director, Energise Sussex Coast
Amy Thompson, CEO, MS Together
Denise Spreag, Trustee, #MEAction UK
Janet Sylvester, Trustee, #MEAction Scotland
Jo Dainow, Chair of Trustees, Long Covid Support
Heather Fisken, Chief Executive Officer, Inclusion Scotland
Andrew MacKay, CEO, Disability Law Service
Matt O'Neill, Chair of Trustees & Director, Narcolepsy UK
Kim Dams, CEO, DG Voice
Stewart O'Callaghan, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, OUTpatients
Gordon McCullough, CEO, Research Institute for Disabled Consumers (RiDC)
Dr Mark Harper, Chair, Cambridge ME Support