Have your say… Stand Up Against the Proposed Cuts to Disability Benefits

I oppose the cuts to disability benefits because….

… they completely ignore the extra costs that people with disabilities have. And some people will be left in the cold, so their condition will get worse.

… everyone should be entitled to a high quality of life. Disability cuts are discrimination.

… mental health issues are very prevalent in our local community and cuts to the disability allowance will have a massive impact.

… if this goes ahead I wont be ale to go out [of the house] this will effect my mental health.

NIAPN’s lived experience advisory panel has launched their campaign to oppose the proposed cuts to disability benefits. They are engaging with the public to explain the proposed cuts that have been outlined in the “Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working” Green Paper.

The Labour Government is planning £7bn worth of cuts to disability benefits, which will have devastating impacts on our communities here due to high rates of poverty and deprivation and ongoing trauma from the conflict.

NIAPN’s lived experience advisory panel created postcards for the public to fill out in order to respond to the consultation, as well as fact sheets to help clarify what these devastating proposal are. Hundreds of postcards have already been filled out with clear messages about how unjust and harmful these cuts will be. 

I oppose the cuts to disability benefits because…

… life is really difficult. trying to cope with family, paying bills. I oppose benefits being cut.

… they are cruel and will hit the poorest and most vulnerable the hardest. Tax the rich instead.

… I receive PIP benefits which helps me get around. Without these I would not be able to access some of the help I need.

… the vulnerable people are the ones who always lose out. It is unfair to those who most need it.

… I have a broken bone for 2 years in my shoulder, back problems and mental health. The cuts would effect myself and my children’s lives. We wouldn’t be able to afford to live, as I cannot work.

They include changes to the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) that could see half of current recipients lose the benefit. 

This will have a knock-on effect on carer’s who will lose carer allowance if the person who they are caring for loses their PIP. In a household where one person cares for another could lose £12,060 a year or 54% of their income, if the disabled person loses PIP, and therefore their carer loses Carer’s Allowance.

The proposed changes to Universal Credit (UC) include renaming LCWRA (limited capability work related activities) to “UC Health Element” and cutting it in half to only £47p/w for new claimants. Additionally, the work capability assessment will no longer exist, as it will be linked directly to the daily living component of PIP. This will most likely result in more people being expected to work or look for work, with increased risk of receiving a benefit sanction. 

These cuts are in the context of limited employment support, training and suitable work placements; poor job prospects; low wages; and employers that often do not hire and do not provide reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities. 

Here in NI, we have more people who have long term illnesses and disability, and higher rates of mental health issues than the rest of the UK. This is  due to persistent deprivation and lack of investment, the legacy of the conflict, public service cuts and a crumbing NHS. 

I oppose these cuts to disability benefits because…

… I rely on this benefit to help me get from my home to hospital and doctors appointments.

… people depend on this for everyday life. it would only cause a knock-on effect with stress and anxiety and may cause other problems for people.

… they should not be punished for not being able to do certain things. If anything, i think, they should receive more so that can have a better quality of life.

… it is wrong to go after the most vulnerable in society while allowing tax loopholes that benefit the wealthy.

… People are finding it hard enough to cope with the cost of living, never mind illnesses. There is no help to give them a sense of living.

… It is going to severely impact my life as well as my mother’s. It will then effect my child’s life if we cannot get the help we need everyday. It takes a lot from people and it is an absolute disgrace. It is too shocking to think about. Not on!

… Anyone receiving these benefits needs more money, not less.

… my mum will be unable to pay her rent, pay for food – she will be unable to live.

… I work with vulnerable adults and these cuts are not a duty of care to them. 

Join NIAPN and its lived experience advisory panel in standing up against these cuts.

Contact Becca if you would like a stack of postcards to respond to the consultation.

Read our factsheet here.

Call and write to your MP or your MLA to discuss how these cuts will impact yourself, your family and your community. Respond to the green paper consultation by 30 June.