Labour Cuts £5bn from Disability Benefits, Impacting One Million

The Labour Government in the UK has announced controversial cuts to disability welfare payments aimed at saving £5 billion by 2030, primarily impacting Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the reforms are necessary to address rising costs associated with disability benefits, which have increased significantly since the pandemic. Critics, including unions and charities, have condemned these changes as 'immoral,' arguing they will push vulnerable individuals further into poverty during a time of economic hardship. The reforms will tighten eligibility for PIP, affecting an estimated one million disabled people, while also introducing a permanent above-inflation rise in Universal Credit. Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the need for reform to help those capable of working, but opponents argue the cuts represent a betrayal of Labour's traditional support for the disadvantaged. As public backlash grows, the government faces pressure to reconsider the impact of these measures on low-income households.