Our report shows that this is not an easy system to use.
The UK disability benefits system has been criticised by charities, MPs, the United Nations and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, yet little has changed – and it’s probably getting worse.
The DWP previously said in response to our reporting: “We help millions of people every year and our number one priority is ensuring they receive a timely, supportive and compassionate service.”
“Your entitlement to PIP is assessed by a medical professional and a decision is made based on all the information available. If you disagree with the decision you can ask for it to be reviewed and appeal to an independent adjudicator.”
The Conservative government recently announced a series of proposals to make the disability benefit system even tougher, with Rishi Sunak saying he was concerned there was a “sick pay culture” and that taking benefits would become a “lifestyle choice”.
Ministers proposed cuts to disability benefits, tougher sanctions for those who lose their jobs and replacing regular PIP payments with lump sums.
It’s all part of a plan to get disabled people into work – recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that more than 2.8 million people are out of work because of long-term illness.
Rising welfare spending and labor force inequality are challenges the next administration will have to address, but research has shown that a punitive approach can push people out of work and deepen poverty. Studies have shown that sanctions can actually push people onto disability benefits.
Michael Clarke, information programme head at anti-poverty charity Turn2Us, explains: “Policies like benefit sanctions, the two-child limit and tougher conditionality are destroying trust, undermining health and preventing people from getting help at a time when they need it most.”
“Political leaders must act now – listen to people’s experiences and build a fair system that is compassionate for all. This means covering essential costs with benefits and scrapping the two-child limit and sanctions. The call for a system that provides real support and reassurance to people struggling to make ends meet is being heard loud and clear across the UK.”
Would Labour be any better? The party expected to win the general election is also concerned about getting people back to work and has not yet said whether it will abandon the Conservative plan.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said earlier this year that “living on welfare will not be an option” under a Labour government and set out plans to encourage unemployed young people into work. Her predecessor Jonathan Ashworth also said conditional employment would remain.
But Labour also proposes a more supportive approach, including new local schemes to put more people with health problems and disabilities into employment.
Shadow disability minister Vicky Foxcroft said: “Too often DWP fails to get the decision right the first time, leading to lengthy delays, reassessments and stressful appeals processes.”
She added that the Conservatives had “broken our health and care system” and that Labour would “help disabled people live independently, get as many people into work as possible and fix our National Health Service so people can get the care they need”.
The Big Issue’s Blueprint for Change calls on the next government to reform the increasingly punitive benefit system and replace it with one that supports those who need it most.
The group wants return-to-work schemes reformed to focus on mentoring, confidence-building models and practical ways to return people to sustainable employment, rather than unnecessary and harsh punishments.
They also need more job security, better wages and greater flexibility offered by employers.
After all, work is not necessarily a route out of poverty. Nearly two-thirds (68%) of working-age adults living in poverty live in households where at least one adult is working. This figure was below 50% in 1996/97.
The Big Issue is calling for the eradication of poverty in this general election. Would you please sign our open letter to the party leader?
Ayla Ozmen, policy and campaigns director at Z2K, said: “Any new government that is serious about this challenge should introduce a disability benefits system that allows people to work without running the risk of falling into poverty. However, the plans currently on the table fail to address this risk and will only push many disabled people further into poverty.”
“All political parties must commit to changing this dangerous course, scrapping plans for stronger work ability assessments from next year and moving towards a system that really works for disabled people, removing the risks and inadequacies currently built into Universal Credit.”
Figures released by the DWP show that planned changes to work capability assessments, due to come into force next year, will mean around 457,000 people will see their benefits cut or face tougher work-search conditions by 2028/29.
However, The Big Issue reports that this will only increase the number of people in paid work by 15,400.
James Taylor, strategic director at disability equality charity Scope, said: “The voices of disabled people must not be ignored in this election. Every year too many disabled people tell us that the welfare system is not working for them. It is a punitive and adversarial system, which too often makes the wrong decisions and leaves too many people feeling let down.”
Seven in 10 people referred to foodbanks in the Trussell Trust network are disabled – many so hungry and destitute they have no other option because of the shame and stigma attached to going to a foodbank.
As charities like Scope have long pointed out, disabled people are more expensive to live with, on average, households with a disabled member paying around £975 more per month in extra costs such as electricity and heating.
Disabled people have repeatedly told The Big Issue that they want to work, but are not getting the support or flexibility they need from their employers.
Mr Taylor added: “Disabled people have been consistently disadvantaged by a dysfunctional welfare system. Under the current system, disabled people who are too ill to work are forced into unsuitable work under the threat of cuts to their welfare payments. We need to move to a situation where disabled people who want some form of work are given the opportunity through a voluntary, trust-based system.”
“We want all political parties to fully commit to welfare reform and introduce tailored employment support for disabled people without counterproductive conditionality.”
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