“We need a system which ensures that disabled people get the support they need to enter the workplace and receive an education, the government’s plans specifically prevent this happening.”
By Joe Rollin, Unite for a Workers’ Economy
The union wrote to members recently about the government’s proposed cuts to sickness and disability benefits, and the devastating impact these cuts will have on disabled people.
You may have heard that the government is making some small changes following the backlash. These changes do not go far enough and in fact will create a two-tier welfare system.
It is clear that the law is being rushed through without proper care, consideration or consultation. Please sign our petition calling on the government to drop its welfare bill.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Why do Labour keep making the same mistakes, attacking the most vulnerable in our society. The government’s latest plans for disabled benefits cuts are divisive and sinister. Creating a two-tier system where younger disabled people and those who become disabled in the future will be disadvantaged and denied access to work and education, is morally wrong.
“We need a system which ensures that disabled people get the support they need to enter the workplace and receive an education, the government’s plans specifically prevent this happening.
“The government needs to drop its entire welfare bill and start again with the principle of social justice and helping people into work at its heart.”
The concessions made by the government do not go far enough:
- Crucial details are missing
- No extra time is being given for MPs to consider the changes
- A two-tier welfare system will be created
- The changes were not included in Labour’s manifesto
- The cuts will add more pressure to over-stretched welfare advisers
The government has not published the detail of its changes to the bill, yet MPs are expected to vote on the bill on Tuesday. Some limited details have been shared with the press but these are not enough to understand the impact of the changes, which will still be the single biggest change to the benefits system in over a decade.
Reports suggest that the controversial changes with Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC) will now only be applied to new claimants. This will create a two-tier welfare system in which current claimants are protected but new claimants are subject to the cruel and controversial restrictions.
Someone who cannot wash half of their body or cook their own meals may still be stripped of their eligibility for PIP, unless they are already claiming PIP at the point the changes come into effect.
These changes were not in Labour’s manifesto – in fact they flatly contradict what Labour promised: “Labour is committed to championing the rights of disabled people and to the principle of working with them, so that their views and voices will be at the heart of all we do.”
Many welfare advisers, working in charities and local authorities, are Unite members. They are already at breaking point following funding cuts and increased demand. These changes will pile even more pressure onto an extremely over-stretched service.
The bill will come to Parliament on Tuesday for a vote by MPs. Please write to your MP and ask them to vote against the bill – and add your name to the petition below to receive updates as the campaign develops.
- Add your name to Unite’s petition against the disability support cuts here.
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- This article was originally published as a Unite members’ newsletter on 29 June 2025.
