Social Security and Disability Minister Stephen Timms has declined to rule out further cuts to welfare benefits, stating that “who knows what will happen in the next five years” as the welfare bill continues to rise despite recent reforms. The comments come amid growing backlash over the government’s plans to tighten eligibility for disability benefits, which could see up to 1.2 million people lose access to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to reassure the public, claiming that no one with a “condition that means they’ll never be able to work” will lose out from the changes. In an article for The Times, Starmer outlined three principles guiding the reforms: encouraging those who can work to do so, supporting those who want to work, and ensuring those who cannot work due to illness or disability receive “security, dignity, and respect.” He also pledged to scrap repeated reassessments for those with permanent conditions.
However, disabled individuals and advocacy groups have expressed skepticism, arguing that the reforms will disproportionately impact vulnerable people. The Resolution Foundation think tank estimates that the changes to PIP eligibility could cost affected individuals between £4,200 and £6,300 annually, with up to a million people losing their entitlement entirely. Ruth Curtice, the foundation’s chief executive, noted that the government has not provided specific figures on how many will be affected, adding that the detailed nature of the changes makes it difficult to predict the full impact.
Timms defended the reforms, stating that the government is “determined to get this absolutely right” and insisting that the changes make the welfare system “sustainable.” However, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding future welfare policies, particularly as the overall benefits bill continues to grow.
The reforms have sparked fierce debate, with critics accusing the government of balancing the budget on the backs of the most vulnerable. Starmer’s attempt to frame the changes as fair and compassionate has yet to quell concerns, as many fear the loss of essential financial support.
As the government moves forward with its welfare overhaul, the question of further cuts looms large, leaving disabled individuals and their advocates in a state of uncertainty. For now, the focus remains on the immediate impact of the PIP reforms and whether the government can deliver on its promise to protect those who are unable to work.
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