Rachel Reeves own Constituency Party, Leeds West and Pudsey, has opposed the ill-health and disability benefit cuts that the government is proposing to push through. There was no support for the policy. Below is the motion that was passed.
No cuts to Disability benefits
Our Labour government has announced cuts of more than £6bn to welfare spending which is set to include:
- £5bn in savings by making it harder to qualify for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) – a benefit not linked to work that is meant to help people with the additional costs of their disability
- Raising the basic rate for Universal Credit paid to those searching for work, or in work, while cutting the rate for those who are judged as unfit for work.
- Welcomes the additional £1b to support those who are able into work. This should be targeted at organisations with a track record of delivering positive outcomes
This CLP notes:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the primary Disability Benefit in the UK, covering the additional costs faced by Disabled people. The maximum amount you can currently receive is £184.30 per week, if you qualify for the ‘Enhanced Daily Living’ and ‘Mobility Rate’ – and this is only awarded for 37% of successful claims (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/personal-independence-payment-statistics-to-october-2024.
- Scope’s analysis of government figures shows that without PIP, a further 700,000 more disabled households could be pushed into poverty.
- After ‘Housing Costs’, the proportion of working age Disabled people living in poverty is 27% (https://www.scope.org.uk/media/disability-facts-figures)
- Anyone can become Disabled.
- Capita’s PIP assessments have been criticized for inaccuracies and lack of consideration for claimants’ medical histories, causing undue stress and hardship.
This CLP believes:
- Disabled people are not responsible for the state of the national finances, and should not be made to pay the price for Tory economic mismanagement.
- It should not be made harder to qualify for PIP – it is difficult enough as it is.
- The rate of Universal Credit for those considered to have ‘Limited Capability for Work’ and ‘Work-Related Activity’ (LCWRA) should not be cut.
- It is right and just for PIP payments to rise in line with inflation, to avoid plunging Disabled people into poverty.
- Benefits Claimants should not be pitted against each other – e.g. increasing rates of Universal Credit for ‘Jobseekers’ while reducing them for ‘Claimants’ unable to work due to sickness or disability.
- The Labour Government must work with Disabled people’s user-led organisations, Trade Unions and civil society to co-produce any reforms to social security.
- Reforming the PIP assessment process is necessary to end privatisation and ensure assessments are conducted by professionals with relevant medical expertise who can consider claimants’ full medical history and circumstances.
- It’s appropriate to review the benefit system, but it should focus on reducing the taper, when people find work, to ensure work pays. Bearing in mind the potential additional costs incurred when working, prescription charges, council tax/rent support & childcare costs etc. Therefore, a pound lost in benefits for a pound earned for working is not necessarily equivalent to the worker/claimant.
- People with ‘Long term Conditions’ not be expected to go through Assessments anymore (JF)
This CLP resolves:
- To write to the Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Liz Kendall MP, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, to articulate our opposition to proposed cuts to Disability Benefits – whether by reducing rates, implementing higher thresholds, poor quality assessments or increased conditionality – as soon as possible.
- To continue to support local organisations that provide services for residents in financial hardship.
- To promote opportunities for members to volunteer with local charities which support those in hardship or poverty.
Labour Campaign for Council Housing 