Charities warn cuts could plunge disabled people into hardship as MPs prepare to vote

A NEW welfare reform bill introduced by the UK Government has triggered fierce criticism from charities, disabled rights groups, and MPs, who warn that the proposed changes could push hundreds of thousands into poverty.

The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Reform Bill, tabled in Parliament this week, is being called the most significant welfare cut since 2015. The bill proposes sweeping changes to how disability benefits are assessed and allocated—reforms the government claims are necessary for sustainability, but which campaigners say amount to a rollback of vital support.

Helen Barnard, Director of Policy at the Trussell Trust, said the bill “does almost nothing to ease the concerns of hundreds of thousands of disabled people who fear that their social security support will be ripped from them. In fact, this bill will push nearly half a million more people into severe hardship and towards the doors of food banks.”

What the Bill Proposes

Among the most contentious elements of the bill are:

• Stricter eligibility criteria for PIP, potentially removing or reducing support for up to 800,000 claimants.
• A reduction in the Universal Credit health element, from £97 to £50 per week for new claimants, frozen until 2029.
• Cuts to Carer’s Allowance which could see around 150,000 carers lose up to £4,200 annually.
• Three-month transition protections, and special exemptions for terminally ill or severely disabled people—measures many say are too limited.

Charities argue that these changes will disproportionately affect people with mental health conditions, fluctuating conditions, and those who rely on informal care.

Evidence of rising need

The Trussell Trust, which operates a network of food banks across the UK, reports that three in four people referred to their services are disabled or live with someone who is. The charity has directly linked failed benefit assessments to increased food bank use. Their data shows that for every 100 failed PIP reassessments, approximately 93 additional food parcels are handed out.

Furthermore, almost half of all Universal Credit recipients report running out of food monthly, and over a million skip meals regularly due to inadequate support. The cost to public services of hunger and hardship is already estimated at £13.7 billion per year.

Political fallout

The bill has also sparked a political storm. Labour MPs are reportedly preparing a significant backbench rebellion, despite the party leadership instructing them to abstain from voting. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Alison McGovern has called for the government to publish a full impact assessment before moving forward.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has warned that the proposals could remove up to £4,300 annually in support for around 1.2 million disabled people.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has also raised alarm, estimating that around 600,000 people could lose £2,400 per year as the reforms link UC health payments more closely to PIP entitlement.

Disabled voices

Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), a grassroots campaign group, has called the legislation “immoral and devastating,” and organised national protests under the banner #WelfareNotWarfare. The Disability Benefits Consortium, which includes charities like Scope, Parkinson’s UK, and Mind, says the bill could particularly harm people with less visible or fluctuating conditions.

Government response

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) maintains the bill is about targeting support more effectively. A spokesperson said the government was “committed to protecting the most vulnerable” and pointed to the inclusion of transition periods and exceptions for the terminally ill.

However, critics argue the lack of a published impact assessment makes it impossible to evaluate who will be affected and how deeply. As of now, no official analysis has been released.

What happens next

The bill is due to be debated in Parliament in the coming weeks. Campaigners are urging the public to contact their MPs and demand a halt until a full impact assessment is available.

If passed, the changes could come into force from early 2026.

The stakes

With over 1.2 million people facing potential reductions or complete loss of disability-related support, this bill marks a turning point in the UK’s social security policy. Critics warn that it risks entrenching poverty and hunger, and undermining the government’s own promises on growth, dignity, and reducing reliance on emergency food provision.

As debate intensifies, one thing is clear: the country is on the brink of a major shift in how it treats its most vulnerable citizens.