The Labour government’s proposed cuts to disability benefits will drive more people into poverty and make it harder for them to find work, Citizens Advice chief executive Clare Moriarty has warned. In a rare public intervention, Moriarty criticised the plans as a “short-term action” with “serious long-term consequences” that could create lasting harm.
She cautioned that tightening eligibility criteria and reducing benefit payments may seem like a quick fix but could ultimately worsen people’s health and financial stability. “The real risk is that as these short-term changes happen, many will be pushed into poverty, which brings negative consequences that make it harder for them to get into work,” she said. “By the time employment support catches up, their health conditions will have deteriorated, making it even more difficult for them to re-enter the workforce.”
Moriarty highlighted the link between poverty and poor health, warning that people who lose benefits often fall into debt, struggle to afford food, and live in inadequate housing—all of which can lead to serious mental and physical health problems. She pointed out that individuals in deprived areas develop an average of two health conditions a decade earlier than those in wealthier areas, making it harder for them to work, regardless of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assessments.
In response, the DWP has said it is increasing employment support by deploying 1,000 work coaches to help disabled and sick people back into work. However, Moriarty argued that this effort falls short. “The 1,000 work coaches will help 85,000 people, but far more will be affected by these changes,” she said.
She also stressed the need for a broader and more holistic approach, noting that employment support should not just focus on job applications but also address housing issues and other barriers preventing people from working. “It takes time and investment to put really good employment support in place,” she said, warning that the government’s approach risks failing those who need the most help.
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