The true impact of welfare cuts

Tue,5 May 2015
News

“Tough choices set to affect more than just us” say disabled people   

Welfare cuts will not simply hit those already on benefits but those in work and those who may need benefits say Disability Rights UK, a national charity for and led by disabled people.

Analysis produced by think tank researchers at the Institute of Fiscal Studies highlights how everyone could be affected by the £12 billion of cuts to the welfare budget planned under current Government policy.

Options under consideration may lead to:

  • every tenant in social housing paying at least 10% of their rent
  • abolishing child benefit whilst increasing universal credit for those families on low incomes
  • reducing means tested support for children to its 2003/04 level
  • restricting benefits to children to just the first two children

If the cuts were to be implemented evenly every benefit may have to be cut by 9% according to the Social Market Foundation.

Disabled people appear set to be particularly badly affected in documents leaked from civil servants acting under the directions of ministers, referred to in a story published in the Guardian today. Proposals include:

  • Making it harder for sick people to claim state aid when they are out of work by introducing “stricter” fit-for-work tests and/or tighter limits on eligibility.
  • Increasing the bedroom tax on certain categories of renters.

“People need to appreciate that cuts of £12 billion will affect not just the living standard of those who are currently on health related benefits but those who are members of their family such as their children and those who may need benefits in the future as a result of sickness or ill health”, said Philip Connolly, Policy and Development Manager of Disability Rights UK.

Contact; Philip J Connolly at Disability Rights UK on 0207 250 8192 or 07706 643667