Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told MPs her changes were expected to save more than £5billion every year by 2030.
But the Disability Policy Centre said Labour’s cuts were “all pain and no gain”.
Sir Stephen Timms, the Department for Work and Pensions minister overseeing social security, conceded that the incapacity and disability benefits bill was set to soar to £100billion but insisted the huge sum was “sustainable”.
Ministers are also under fire for refusing to reveal how many people will be affected by new rules making it harder to claim Personal Independence Payments, which are provided to help the disabled and long-term ill with living expenses.
The changes announced by Ms Kendall mean more claims will be refused. The Government is to reveal how many next Wednesday — the same day Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her spring statement, which will dominate events at Westminster.
The Disability Policy Centre said the cuts were likely to save £2.8billion less than the Government claimed and would also cost taxpayers in other ways.
For example, cutting help for disabled people would increase costs for the NHS and social services by £1.2billion while the Government would spend £400million fighting legal challenges. In total just £100million will be saved, the thank tank claimed.
Research director Arun Veerappan said: “Previous attempts to reform Personal Independence Payments, in particular, have failed ...
But the Disability Policy Centre said Labour’s cuts were “all pain and no gain”.
Sir Stephen Timms, the Department for Work and Pensions minister overseeing social security, conceded that the incapacity and disability benefits bill was set to soar to £100billion but insisted the huge sum was “sustainable”.
Ministers are also under fire for refusing to reveal how many people will be affected by new rules making it harder to claim Personal Independence Payments, which are provided to help the disabled and long-term ill with living expenses.
The changes announced by Ms Kendall mean more claims will be refused. The Government is to reveal how many next Wednesday — the same day Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers her spring statement, which will dominate events at Westminster.
The Disability Policy Centre said the cuts were likely to save £2.8billion less than the Government claimed and would also cost taxpayers in other ways.
For example, cutting help for disabled people would increase costs for the NHS and social services by £1.2billion while the Government would spend £400million fighting legal challenges. In total just £100million will be saved, the thank tank claimed.
Research director Arun Veerappan said: “Previous attempts to reform Personal Independence Payments, in particular, have failed ...
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Daily Express (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 20, 2025