UK Government Weighs Major Disability Benefit Reforms to Tackle Rising Costs

Labour plans to cut welfare spending by £3bn while considering controversial changes to disability benefits and work assessments.

The UK Government is preparing a green paper in the spring outlining reforms to disability and sickness benefits as costs are projected to rise significantly by 2030.
Proposed changes include introducing a tiered payment system for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and tightening eligibility criteria, particularly for mental health conditions.
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) may be restructured to reflect increased availability of remote work, with reforms targeting new claims starting in 2025.
Labour has pledged to match the Conservatives' £3bn welfare cuts but faces internal and external criticism over potentially reducing benefits for disabled individuals.
Campaigners and disability advocates warn that proposed cuts could severely impact vulnerable populations, citing the higher living costs faced by disabled people.