DWP benefit cut proposals making disabled people ‘want to end their life’, experts warn

Disabled people across the UK are expressing deep distress over proposed reforms to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), with some even considering assisted dying due to fears about their financial future.

The controversial changes, unveiled by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, could see up to 1.2 million people lose their disability benefits, amounting to annual losses of between £4,200 and £6,300 per person by the end of the decade. 

Disability campaigner Dr. Shani Dhanda revealed that many disabled individuals have contacted her in despair, with some saying they “want to end their life” due to the uncertainty and financial strain. She described the situation as “modern-day eugenics,” where disabled people feel forced to choose between poverty and ending their lives to avoid being a burden on their families. 

Celebrities, including actor Brian Cox and comedian Stephen Fry, have joined the outcry, urging the government to reconsider the reforms. Cox called the plan “senseless” and warned of its lasting impact on vulnerable individuals, while Fry emphasized that cuts should not target “the most vulnerable and overlooked of all our population.” Comedian Rosie Jones, who has cerebral palsy, added that the cuts “will only deepen the hardship disabled people are already facing.” 

The proposed reforms include tightening eligibility for PIP, which could save the government over £5 billion annually by 2030. The changes would require claimants to demonstrate a more significant level of impairment, with stricter criteria for receiving support. Additionally, the government plans to cut the Universal Credit health element for new claimants starting next year. 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has defended the reforms, calling the current system “morally and economically indefensible.” However, critics argue that the changes will disproportionately affect disabled individuals, many of whom rely on these benefits to cover essential living costs. 

The government has stated that the reforms aim to create a “fairer, more sustainable” welfare system, with a £1 billion employment support package to help disabled people into work. However, campaigners and disabled individuals fear that the cuts will push many into poverty and exacerbate existing inequalities. 

What do you think about the proposed PIP reforms? Should the government prioritize cutting welfare costs, or is there a risk of leaving vulnerable people without essential support? Let us know in the comments. Don’t forget to like and follow for more updates on this critical issue.