After over a decade of failure, could disability benefits change for the better?

What are the government’s plans?

The government will publish a Green Paper in the spring to consult on plans to change disability benefits. The government has said they plan to launch the consultation by the end of March. This follows reports that the government could propose cuts to disability benefits, to reduce the overall amount spent on welfare. The consultation will last for 12 weeks and is an opportunity for people living with MS and other conditions to have their voices heard. 

The Green Paper won’t contain any proposals for legislation. Instead, the government is asking for feedback on their ideas. They’ll then set out which plans they want to take forward in a White Paper. They would likely publish the White Paper in the autumn. While there might be proposals for change being discussed, we don’t expect any significant changes to the disability benefits system for England and Wales to happen this year.

Could the government improve disability benefits for good?

Rather than focusing on cuts, the government has a real opportunity with the Green Paper to set out how it will improve disability benefits - to make sure everyone with MS, in and out of work, get the support they need to live independently. They could do this by:

Fixing the stressful PIP assessment process

The government should focus on fixing the stressful PIP assessment process, so no one misses out on vital support. This should include how they plan to make sure the assessment better considers the impact of fluctuating and hidden symptoms of MS. And better addresses long-term and progressive health conditions where symptoms will not improve.

Providing positive employment support

We support the government’s ambition to increase rates of employment among disabled people. However, to achieve this they shouldn’t reduce the support people can get on out-of-work disability benefits, or force them to meet unfair or unsustainable work requirements. This is likely only to force more of the MS community into poverty and harm their health. Instead, they should concentrate on positive measures, like improving schemes like Access to Work.

Together, we can have our voices heard

For people living with MS, disability benefits are a lifeline of support for when they need it most. PIP allows people to cover the extra costs of their condition like mobility aids and adapted vehicles. While out-of-work disability benefits like Universal Credit give people an income when they’re unable work due to their condition.

Speaking about why PIP is vital. One of our campaigners said: “Please do not cut (PIP) financial support. I do realise how lucky I am to be supported with PIP and benefits that come with PIP like a blue badge. I am working and love that I am. Stopping my PIP will affect my ability to work, as I will not be able to take days off when I need to when I am having a bad day. Why would a government take away support from disabled vulnerable people?”

Charles Gillies, our Senior Policy Officer, says: “For many years the MS community has been failed by harmful policy changes around disability benefits and a stressful assessments process that has denied them vital support. With the upcoming Green Paper, the government has a great opportunity to change disability benefits for good and set out plans to properly support all people with MS. We’re looking forward to working closely with the MS community to make our voices heard in the consultation.”

The government has a vital opportunity to change the lives of people with MS for the better and to support people with lifelong conditions. Together, we have a collective opportunity for our voices to be heard.

What happens next?

We’ll be looking at the consultation in detail once it’s published. And we’ll let you know how you can make your voice heard and share your feedback with the government.

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