Naomi Dickson, CEO of Norwood, the UK’s oldest charity supporting people who are neurodiverse or who have neurodevelopmental disabilities, voiced her anxiety over the cuts.
A trustee of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG), whose network of non-profit providers supports over a million disabled individuals, Dickson said: “We are really concerned that the government’s plans to cut disability benefits will place substantial financial constraints on people with neurodevelopmental disabilities."
Norwood CEO Naomi Dickson (Photo: Norwood)[Missing Credit]
She added that many people with significant disabilities already faced increased costs to perform everyday tasks, and that “this latest round of welfare cuts will do nothing to achieve the government’s stated aim of supporting more people with disabilities into work and instead risks further marginalising them and hampering their prospects”.
Kendall confirmed that eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) would be significantly tightened, meaning fewer people would qualify for the benefit.
While current recipients would not be immediately affected, they could be impacted when they reapplied or underwent reassessment once the new rules took effect.
Currently, PIP is awarded in two components – daily living and mobility – with payment levels determined by the severity of an individual’s condition. This results in four possible weekly payment amounts, ranging from £28.70 to £184.30.
Richard Franklin CEO of Kisharon Langdon, which supports people with learning disabilities and autism, said: "We are deeply disappointed by the government’s plans to cut disability benefits. These cuts will do nothing more than place further strain on those using the services of charities like Kisharon Langdon and their families, who are already struggling to navigate the chronically underfunded social care sector.
"This latest round of welfare cuts will only limit those already needing more support and places significant limits on the opportunities they should be provided with."
Raphael, supported by Kisharon Langdon and a pupil at Kisharon Noe School reads toast at the Kisharon Langdon inaugural dinner (Photo: Leivi Saltman)[Missing Credit]
Paperweight, a Jewish charity that provides free support on a range of legal, financial, welfare, post-bereavement and administrative matters, said that they were deeply worried about how the cuts would disproportionately impact vulnerable individuals.
Bayla Perrin, the charity’s CEO, told the JC: “These reforms risk inflicting immense suffering on those living with severe disabilities, making everyday life even more challenging.”
Perrin also highlighted that the cuts could push many into poverty, forcing them to rely on charities for basic needs.
“Altered PIP criteria will undoubtedly lead to hardship for countless individuals who depend on these essential benefits.”
Lady Sacks (far right) and MP for Hendon David Pinto-Duschinsky (second from left) visit the charity, Paperweight, whose leaders have expressed concern about how the benefits cuts will affect the most vulnerable in the community. Seen here with chair of trustees, Benjamin Conway, and Paperweight CEO Bayla Perrin (Photo: Paperweight)[Missing Credit]
Jewish Care and Jami, which comes under the charity’s umbrella, provide services for people with physical and mental health health conditions and dementia. They also support clients’ informal carers, many of whom have health and care needs of their own.
Rachel Wenmouth, the charity’s Jewish Care head of social work, safeguarding and mental health, said: “Receiving benefits, including PIP, enables people to take part in their community and engage in daily living and travel that they would otherwise not be able to access. [This] decreases social isolation, which can improve the quality of life.”
She said that people coming forward for financial help “should not feel stigmatised for needing support with tasks that many people take for granted”.
Charities fear that the benefit cuts will prevent people from being able to take part in social activities and increase their sense of isolation (Photo: Getty)Getty Images
Since the Covid pandemic, the government’s spending on health and disability-related benefits has increased significantly and has been predicted to increase from £65bn a year currently to £100bn by 2029.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions told the JC: “It is right that we take action to fix our broken welfare system, so it is fairer on the taxpayer and is sustainable enough to support those with the highest needs for years to come.
“Our reforms will unlock work for sick and disabled people who want to be in employment – backed by a £1 billion support offer to guarantee tailored help into work – and will rebalance Universal Credit payment levels so the benefit’s main rate rises above inflation for the first time, a boost for working families.”
