Sir Kier Starmer has called the benefits system “unsustainable” and “unfair”, in an address to Labour MPs on Monday, 10 March.
The prime minister alluded to coming changes to the welfare system, saying that the current way is “indefensible” and that the government cannot “shrug its shoulders and look away”.
The spring budget is expected on 26 March, and reports suggest that cuts could be made to Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
This benefit is designed to help with the extra costs that people with long-term disabilities face in order to carry out everyday tasks. Scope estimates that the extra cost of living with a disability is now at £975 a month on average.
On top of these costs, people with epilepsy who are in employment are paid, on average, 11.8% less than their non-disabled peers, according to research from the Trade Union Congress (TUC).
The move has been criticised by organisations, saying that the human cost of these cuts could be too great and “700,000 more disabled households could be pushed into poverty”.
Some MPs, including Rachael Maskell and Neil Duncan-Jordan are also questioning the plans, and raising concerns about “pushing disabled people into poverty” and making “poor people poorer”.
Economists at Pro Bono Economics (PBE), an organisation working to end low personal wellbeing in the UK, published a report saying that spending on disability will bring economic benefit.
The report said making PIP and Disability Living Allowance (DLA) harder to access is “counterproductive, costly and a health risk”.
Many people with epilepsy tell us they really rely on this support. Many people can’t drive and say PIP helps them to travel to work or early hospital appointments. People say they need “supervision when cooking or showering” because of the risks with frequent seizures.
People have told us they want to work but many aren’t able to because of their seizures or severe side effects from medication.
Others said they struggle to get into work as they face discrimination from employers. A survey by Epilepsy Action revealed that 42% of employers would be inclined not to hire someone with epilepsy, even though they know this is discrimination.
Ahead of the Spring Budget, we want to hear from you! What is the biggest thing you stand to lose if you were to lose PIP? Email press@epilepsy.org.uk and let us know.