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5d ago

UK Government Confirms Disability Benefit Overhaul Despite Public Opposition

The DWP has announced that cuts to Universal Credit and PIP, along with stricter eligibility criteria and rate freezes, will proceed under the 'Plan for Change.'

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Overview

  • The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit will move forward, including stricter eligibility thresholds and reduced payments for new claimants starting April 2026.
  • The Work Capability Assessment will be scrapped, with the government arguing this will reduce dependency and improve fairness in the welfare system.
  • Existing Universal Credit health element payments will be frozen at £97 per week until 2029/30, while new claimants will receive a reduced rate of £50 per week starting in 2026.
  • Petitions opposing the reforms, including one with over 17,000 signatures, demand the government halt the cuts and co-create a National Disability Strategy with disabled people’s organisations.
  • The reforms, part of the Pathways to Work green paper, aim to cut £5 billion from the benefits bill, focusing support on those deemed to have the highest needs.