“£3 Billion Benefits Cut Spells Big Trouble: Disabled People at Risk of Falling Into Poverty”

Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, was seen leaving 10 Downing Street after attending the weekly Cabinet meeting in London.

Liz Kendall is facing the challenge of finding £3 billion in cuts to health and disability benefits. Campaigners are warning that these cuts could push many disabled people into poverty. 

Disability charity Scope has said that such large cuts will make it harder for people on benefits to find jobs, even as the government tries to get more Brits back into work. 

This comes after DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms defended the cuts, saying they are “completely in line” with helping people find work. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has taken up the previous Conservative government’s goal of cutting £3 billion from the benefits budget, with a plan expected in the coming weeks. 

Sir Stephen Timms told Metro that cutting benefits and helping people into work are not conflicting goals. He said, “Delivering these savings is consistent with improving the system to better support people.” 

He added, “We need to stabilize the economy, which means making these savings. But we believe we can do it in a way that improves how the system works. We’ll set out our plans in the spring and are being very careful about it.” 

Last week, Sir Stephen visited St Mungo’s, a homeless charity in Camden, to see how they are helping residents learn skills like plumbing, wiring, tiling, and decorating to prepare them for long-term employment. He suggested such programs could help the UK reach an 80% employment rate, a goal set by the government last November. 

However, James Taylor from Scope warned that starting with a target to cut spending, rather than focusing on what works to help disabled people into jobs, has often led to problems. He said, “Life is more expensive for disabled people. Cutting benefits will take away the support they need, pushing more into poverty.” 

Mikey Erhardt from Disability Rights UK added, “People need to have their basic needs met like food and shelter before they can focus on bigger goals like finding work. When people are unwell or have long-term health conditions, they deserve benefits that allow them to live decently.” 

Sir Stephen Timms also said the previous benefits system “pushed people away from working.” He added, “Many people who are out of work due to health or disability issues want to work but haven’t had the chance. We’re committed to changing that.” 

This spring, the Department for Work and Pensions will release a Green Paper to consult on how best to make these cuts. Liz Kendall has said the £3 billion target for cuts will not change, regardless of the consultation results. 

In a recent article, Chancellor Rachel Reeves wrote that the UK “can’t keep paying for the rising number of people out of work” and that the government’s plans will turn the DWP “from a Department of Welfare into a Department for Work.” These plans will be announced before Easter.