Government's Universal Credit Bill Passes: DR UK Response

The passing of this bill is of deep concern to Disability Rights UK, as it will further push Disabled people on the health-element of Universal Credit into poverty, removing £3,000 a year from their pockets. We know Disabled people on Universal Credit already struggle to make ends meet, with 1 in 3 people who use a foodbank being Disabled.

We will continue to campaign against these cuts, which have been ardently opposed by the entire disability community, alongside the general public and hundreds of rights-based organisations. The United Nations even wrote to the Government the night before the Bill was debated, saying the measures will 'increase poverty rates' and only further entrench the 'grave and systemic violations' of Disabled people's rights they reported on in 2016 and reaffirmed in 2024. With our polling showing that only 27% of the public support the Government’s benefit reforms, it is clear the Government was eager to push through policies that the majoirty of the population don't support - including a large number in their own political party.

It was only thanks to the unrelenting work of Disabled People's Organisations and activists that the initial proposals of £5 billion in cuts were sliced down to £2 billion - however, not a single penny should be saved on the backs of Disabled people in poverty when the option to tax big corporations can be easily made. The decision to place this fiscal burden on Disabled people already marginalised by the state is a political choice, not an imperative, and it is something Disabled campaigners will not forget. 

On the concessions to PIP and the Government's verbal promise to co-produce future reforms, DR UK's Mikey had this to say:

"By no means does all the tireless campaigning of Disabled people to overturn the government reckless cuts mean that the PIP system is beyond criticism. The UN last year highlighted that over the last 3 years, over 600 people have died as a result of our cruel system.

It is difficult to trust the government's promise to co-produce a new PIP system, especially with their focus on cost-cutting, as opposed to genuine support for Disabled people. We are very concerned that PIP cuts have been postponed, not abandoned.

In terms of the review process, the Government must ensure that it takes an intersectional approach, recognising and valuing our diverse Disabled community. The review process must treat us as equal partners, with equal decision-making power.

The government must recognise that if it wants to reform the PIP system, it must resource the co-production process, providing time, capacity, and funding to enable DDPOs to participate. Co-production is about a shift in power dynamics - if the government wants to co-produce with us, it must be willing to hand over some of its power to us as well.

Any future involvement in the process will not automatically lead to our endorsement or support for any proposal the government makes. We believe that a good future system would allow people to live dignified lives, rather than punishing them with the meagre support currently provided.

At a basic level, a new PIP system would turn its back on the failed policies of the present: removing sanctions, the two-child limit, the benefit cap, and rejecting lower rates of support for those under 25. PIP support must help with the estimated £1,095 more it costs to be Disabled in the UK.

A functioning system would not only provide material support to meet these costs for every Disabled person who calls on it but also find routes to eliminate those extra costs arising in the first place."

We extend our full solidarity to Disabled people dealing with an overwhelming and painful news cycle that can often feel isolating and dehumanising. As a Disabled-led organisation, we will never stop fighting for you, your rights and the justice we all deserve.

9th July 2025