Labour Government Faces Backlash Over £5 Billion Welfare Reform Plan

Proposed changes to disability and health benefits are projected to impact millions, with critics warning of increased poverty and harm to vulnerable groups.

The UK Labour government has announced a £5 billion welfare reform package, focusing on tightening eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and delaying access to certain benefits for young people.
The reforms are expected to disqualify around 1 million current PIP recipients and reduce income for some by £4,200 to £6,300 annually.
Critics, including disability charities and Labour backbenchers, argue the changes will push disabled individuals into poverty and increase pressure on other public services like healthcare.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall defend the reforms as necessary to address unsustainable public spending on disability benefits, projected to reach £70 billion annually by 2030.
An impact assessment of the reforms is pending release next week alongside the spring statement, fueling concerns over the lack of transparency and potential unintended consequences.