Scott Watkin BEM, SeeAbility’s Head of Engagement, gives his thoughts on the recent disability benefit reforms.

‘First it was the Autumn budget that left people worried about their social care services going bust. Then the government stopped the target for GP learning disability annual health checks. Then social care reform was kicked into the long grass, with a report planned for 2028. Now many of us are faced with having our benefits cut in the government’s Pathways to Work plans that came out last week.

These possible benefit changes are just the latest in a long line of challenges facing people with learning disabilities. Enough is enough. When is it going to stop? It feels like there could be even more cuts to come from the Chancellor this week. It makes me so worried and I know other people feel this too. 

Of course disabled people should be supported to work if they can. 

And there may be some good things on what the government is proposing, like not having repeated disability assessments if you have high lifelong needs. And enabling people to try out work, without losing benefits. As far as job hunting goes, our Ready Willing and Able supported employment programme will be looking at what they can do to help.

But with all the pressures on social care, people losing social care support hours and now possibly their disability benefits, I worry about the knock on effects. 

For example, the proposals will definitely mean some people lose their Personal Independence Payment (PIP). If they lose this, they may lose other benefits too, or their carer may lose theirs. The government haven’t released the figures yet, but it could be up to 1.2 million people.

I have been in work for many years, but I receive PIP because I need to pay for medication, glasses and contact lenses, and travel to my health appointments. But equally it means I can buy adaptations for my home so I can live independently. I wouldn’t be able to attend hospital appointments as easily, and my health and wellbeing would slowly deteriorate. I have a learning disability and I need this to live a healthy life as well as work. Life just costs more if you are disabled. 

I’m worried that there could be knock on effects on the NHS if people’s health gets worse because they have lost their support.

I also worry about the way disabled people getting benefits are being spoken about. Despite what people may think, it isn’t easy to get these benefits and you have to really battle. In the past I have had to fight hard to get my benefit reinstated. I can speak up for myself but I worry for people who don’t have that support.

And then there’s the knock on effects for people being able to stay in their jobs. For example, as well as PIP, I use Access to Work which helps me have a PA so I can do a job which takes me all over the country. It looks like this support could be more difficult to get in the future.

There is lots to be worried about.

Something that is really upsetting is the lack of accessible versions of this consultation. What happened to ‘nothing about us without us’? This directly affects the lives of people with learning disabilities and sight loss. We have written about this to the government.

I know this is a really worrying time. It’s really important to say that nothing is changing straight away, and that everyone will have a say. If benefits do change, it won’t be for at least a year. 

I’ll definitely be responding to the consultation with my Listen Up! Team too and making sure it’s not a done deal. 

Read more on the Pathways to Work Green Paper from government, which is open for comment until 30th June 2025.

For accessible versions please watch out on SeeAbility’s social media channels as we will let you know when these are published by the government. 

We cannot offer advice on benefits, so we’d recommend getting in touch with one of the helplines on this DRUK list.