Received from: TUC Disabled Workers Conference
This conference notes with anger the government’s spring statement, published on 18 March 2025, which attacks disability benefits (proposed significant welfare changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC)) this will force disabled workers into unemployment.
This conference condemns the UK government’s plans to cut £5bn from PIP, which represents an unacceptable attack on disabled people.
Disabled people use PIP to pay for extra disability-related costs, including therapies not available on the NHS, to help them continue working.
These proposals reduce disabled people’s choice and autonomy and will create more poverty and isolation. The government has ignored disabled people’s advocacy organisations’ evidence on the damage this will cause and instead followed the same “blame” narrative as the Tories.
Conference recognises that:
i. PIP and UC are claimed by thousands of disabled workers
ii. PIP is not an out-of-work benefit but a lifeline that helps disabled people manage the additional costs of their conditions – in work or not
iii. attacking PIP will make it even harder for people to meet the extra costs of having a disability, including those already in work
iv. employers will lose experienced, loyal workers. The treasury will lose tax and NI contributions potentially worth more than a disabled worker’s PIP, disabled workers will contribute less to the economy and unemployment benefits claims will increase
v. analysis by the New Economics Foundation on the impact of the proposed cuts shows £6.7bn would be taken directly out of the pockets of disabled people
vi. up to 1.2 million disabled people will lose between £4,200 and £6,300 a year by 2029–30. Plus, the carers who will lose carer’s allowance
vii. £23bn in benefits and passported entitlements go unclaimed annually
viii. over half of the 16 million people living in poverty have a disability
ix. cutting support under the false pretence of boosting employment is unjust and economically incoherent
x. leading disability organisations have warned that the planned cuts will have catastrophic consequences for disabled people
xi. these changes include blocking under 22s from claiming.
The benefits system isn’t perfect but reform cannot be used to fill the budget deficit left by the Tories. Disabled people must be involved in designing a welfare system that is fit for purpose now and in the future.
Conference believes:
a. it is unjust that disabled people are forced to bear the burden of government spending choices
b. PIP is an essential non-means-tested benefit recognising additional costs of living with a disability/ long-term health condition
c. the proposed reforms attack disabled people’s rights and dignity, risking deepening discrimination/social exclusion.
Conference calls on TUC Disabled Workers Committee to work with the General Council, and other trade unions to:
1. lobby government to stop the proposed changes and work with disabled people and workers on any proposed welfare changes
2. campaign for a fully resourced, supportive social security system
3. demand that instead of these regressive changes government provides a fair social security system providing dignity/respect, genuine consultation on policy with disabled people and investment in independent living, inclusive employment and accessible services
4. publicly condemn proposed changes, demanding immediate withdrawal
5. oppose all cuts to PIP and disability benefits and campaign for the expansion of financial support for disabled people
6. challenge the government and demand immediate assurances that PIP will not be cut or frozen
7. launch coordinated campaign against the cuts, highlighting their impact on disabled people
8. mobilise trade union members to stand in solidarity with disabled people through public campaigning, lobbying, and direct action
9. organise a demonstration and lobby of parliament in support of disabled workers as a launchpad for sustained trade union action in defence of workers and young people
10. organise a weekend demonstration against Labour austerity as a launchpad for sustained trade union action in defence of workers and young people
11. organise an accessible static protest against the proposals in Parliament Square before changes are implemented
12. campaign against the proposals including lobbying individual MPs and the government
13. work with disability rights organisations to resist these attacks and push for policies that genuinely support disabled people’s rights, independence, and inclusion in society
14. work closely with unions to challenge the implementation of this policy
15. collaborate with disabled people’s organisations – amplifying opposition
16. reaffirm their commitment to the TUC Welfare Charter.
TUC Disabled Workers Conference