250,000 people will be pushed into poverty if cuts to health and disability benefits go ahead
/This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 2nd April 2025
A quarter of a million people, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into relative poverty by the UK government's benefits changes, according to the Department for Work and Pensions' own figures.
The cuts to health and disability benefits announced by the Chancellor last week are expected to make savings of £4.8 billion by 2029-30, with a reduction in the "Personal Independence Payment (PIP) caseload by 400,000" in the same period.
According to the UK government, 3.2 million families will "financially lose" an average of £1,720 per year compared to inflation. The government notes that "the vast majority (96%) of families that lose financially have someone with a disability in the household.
The most significant impacts of the cuts come from 370,000 current recipients and 430,000 future recipients not receiving PIP - with an average loss of £4,500 per year.
Inclusion Scotland said the cuts were “nothing short of appalling” and published a briefing which details the potential impacts of the changes in Scotland, where PIP is being is being replaced by the Scottish Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
Disability Equality Scotland said: “The absolute reality is that the UK Government has, by its actions, chosen to disregard and punish some of the most marginalised in our society – disabled people.”
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