Major changes to the UK’s disability benefits system could strip thousands of people of vital support, with some losing up to £886 per month, according to campaigners and MPs. The planned overhaul by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)—now under the leadership of the Labour government—could impact up to 800,000 disabled claimants and slash as much as £5 billion in support across Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit.
Green MP Siân Berry, who co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Disability, warned that the proposals would intensify already dire conditions for many disabled people living in poverty.
“Disabled people are already under enormous pressure,” Berry said. “These new measures will only deepen their hardship. It’s an economic and moral failure—and it needs to be completely rethought.”
‘A Disaster in the Making’
Berry accused ministers of prioritizing cost-cutting targets over the well-being of some of society’s most vulnerable. “This isn’t about helping people. It’s about balancing spreadsheets,” she said. “The scale of suffering that will come from these changes will far outweigh any financial savings.”
She called for a full reversal of the proposals and urged government leaders to consider broader tax reform to rebuild public services and social protections. “We need to return to the principle of a strong safety net funded fairly—by those most able to contribute.”
Cabinet Under Pressure
Berry also expressed hope that internal dissent within the government might stall the reforms. “There must be people in cabinet who see how devastating this could be. Local authorities will be forced to step in where national government is retreating.”
She singled out Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, as someone who could potentially push back against the cuts from within cabinet discussions.
Wider Social Costs
Campaigners have warned that the cuts could lead to increased pressure on local services, a rise in mental and physical health issues, and higher long-term public spending. Berry echoed these concerns, saying the broader impact on society would eclipse any immediate financial benefit to the Treasury.
“Disabled people aren’t just advocating for themselves,” Berry added. “They see the bigger picture. They understand that a society without a reliable safety net becomes more fragile for everyone.”
While the DWP has yet to provide full details of the proposed changes or confirm a timeline for implementation, critics say the plans are regressive and risk undoing years of progress in disability rights.
