UK Government Announces Stricter Disability Benefit Criteria Affecting One Million People

New Personal Independence Payments rules to reduce welfare spending by £5 billion spark concerns over poverty and health impacts.

From November 2026, Personal Independence Payments (PIP) will require a minimum score of four points in one activity, limiting eligibility to the most severely disabled individuals.
Approximately one million current PIP recipients are expected to lose their entitlement, with annual financial losses estimated between £4,200 and £6,300 per person.
The reforms, aimed at addressing a £20 billion rise in welfare spending since the pandemic, are projected to save £5 billion by 2030.
Disability advocates and Labour MPs strongly oppose the changes, warning of increased poverty, worsened health outcomes, and strain on public services.
The government has yet to release a full impact assessment, which is expected next week as part of the spring statement.