We understand that the proposed benefit cuts are causing significant concern amongst the disabled community, and we want to reassure you that you are not alone. We stand in solidarity with disabled people across Wales in challenging these potential changes.
The UK Government’s Green Paper was published on Tuesday 18th March: Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper – GOV.UK
We have stark concerns that these measures will save £5bn, taking money out of the system and away from support for disabled people, without any clear plan to tackle wider inequalities faced in employment, independent living, education and transport.
Due to the misinformation that has been spread across the media before this publication we firstly want to make it clear what has been proposed in the paper:
- Scrap the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) from 2028
- PIP Assessment to replace WCA based on the impact of daily living on daily life not capacity for work despite flawed system with high appeal rates and errors
- Daily Living Points Changes with requirement of at least 4 points which will mean stricter eligibility criteria
- No Reassessment for ‘Severely’ disabled people without clear definitions of what ‘severe’ is defined as
- Delay Access to Health Benefits for Under 22s which may force young disabled people into instability without clear opportunities for them
- Right to try work without losing benefits
- Job Seekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance to be merged
- Freezing Universal Credit (UC) for Existing Claims. This will lock in current rates, but new claimants will receive a significantly lower amount (£50 pw instead of £97pw)
Now that the Green Paper has been made public, it will go through a consultation period, meaning no immediate changes will take place. During this period, we will be drafting a consultation response to the proposed changes.
What Disability Wales is doing:
We are actively working to challenge any proposed cuts and push for a fairer, more inclusive system. Our actions include:
- Responding to the Green Paper consultation to formally oppose harmful proposals.
- Writing to all Welsh MPs and Members of the Senedd (MSs) to highlight the impact on disabled people.
- Collaborating with the UK Coalition on Benefit Cuts to strengthen advocacy efforts.
- Contributing to focus groups exploring alternative social security models.
- Working with mainstream media to ensure accurate media coverage and amplify disabled people’s voices and experiences.
What you Can do:
Your voice is crucial in this fight. We are stronger together!
Write to your MP – Personal stories are powerful. We’ve included a template letter below that you can edit and send to your local MP, outlining how these changes would affect you.
Find your local MP here. This page will also give you their contact details.
Signposting for support:
If you need immediate advice on your benefits or financial situation you can get support from:
- Advicelink Cymru: Welfare rights advice, benefit checks, and advocacy support. Click the link here: Advicelink Cymru – Citizens Advice
- Local Council: Your local authority may have welfare Rights Advisors and Discretionary Payments. Many local authorities and third-sector organisations provide help with benefit applications and appeals. Some councils offer financial assistance for those in crisis through Discretionary payments. Click the link here to find your local authority: Find your local authority | GOV.WALES
- Disability Can Do: Provides welfare and wellbeing support for disabled people in Caerphilly. Find out more about DisabilityCanDo.
- The FDF: An independent, pan-disability charity based in Mold, Flintshire, North Wales, offering free advice, guidance, and support to disabled and disadvantaged people in North Wales. Find out more about The FDF.
We understand this is an anxious time, but please know that we are actively fighting against unfair benefit changes. Together, we are stronger.
