Benefit cuts ‘hitting disabled people hardest’

The government's benefit cuts are hitting disabled people hardest of all, according to a new report drawn up by a coalition of over 90 disabled people's organisations and charities. The report highlights the precarious circumstances of many disabled people, drawing on a survey of over 4,500 respondents and a poll of more than 350 independent welfare rights advisors. 

Key findings

• Around 85 per cent of disabled people say losing their disability living allowance will drive them into isolation, and leave them struggling to manage their condition. 95 per cent fear it will damage their health.
• 78 per cent say their health has got worse as a result of the stress caused by undergoing a work capability assessment for employment and support allowance.
• 87 per cent of disabled people say their everyday living costs are significantly higher because of their condition.
• 90 per cent of welfare rights advisors say too many disabled people are slipping through the net and are left without adequate support by the benefits system.

The report estimates that the 3.6 million people who claim disability benefits will be £9 billion worse off, in total, over the period 2010–2015. It calls on the government to rule out targeting disabled people for further spending cuts in the next Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review.

Source: Andrew Kaye, Hayley Jordan and Mark Baker, The Tipping Point: The Human and Economic Costs of Cutting Disabled People's Support, Hardest Hit coalition
Links: Report | Summary | BBC report