James Taylor, executive director of strategy at Scope, said:

“Ripping billions of pounds away from disabled people flies in the face of the government’s commitment to put disabled people at the heart of everything they do. Starting with the amount they want to save, rather than on how to improve the system, spells disaster.

Investment in localised employment support for disabled people is welcome. We know that at least a million disabled people want to work and could with the right support. But bringing in changes based on savings, not on supporting disabled people, will be disastrous. Ramping up restrictions won’t help support more disabled people into work, it will only make their lives harder.

The Work Capability Assessment is degrading and stressful and change is desperately needed. But we desperately need government to put forward a positive case for change and set out its plans. After years of limbo, disabled people are yet again in the dark about the future of the benefits system, creating a huge amount of anxiety.”