RNIB signs open letter to the Chancellor opposing cuts to disability benefits

In the letter to the Chancellor, which can be read in full below, RNIB and its partners urge the UK Government to reconsider rumoured cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the Limited Capability for Work payment, which would have a catastrophic impact on blind and partially sighted people across the country.

While we agree with the aim to support more disabled people into work, if the UK Government is serious about this then much better support needs to be in place for the around 11,000 people with sight loss who are right now looking for work, but face many obstacles.

These barriers include tackling employers' attitudes, and fixing the delays and challenges for employees seeking support from the government's own Access to Work scheme, which currently can see new applicants waiting up to 30 weeks (nearly seven months) for support.

We are concerned that cuts could push more people with sight loss into poverty, who already have difficulty affording the extra costs that come with having a disability. We know the extra ongoing costs of sight loss average between £65 and £156 a week for working age adults. These benefits are lifelines for disabled households, enabling us to work and live with dignity.

Read the open letter in full

Dear Chancellor,

We are writing to you as a collection of charities to urge you to think again about cuts to disability benefits.

Disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the Limited Capability for Work Amount, can be a lifeline for disabled households and can enable people who receive PIP to work. Making cuts to disability benefits would have a catastrophic impact on disabled people up and down the country. Scope’s analysis of government figures shows that without PIP, a further 700,000 more disabled households could be pushed into poverty. Life costs more for disabled people. Huge numbers already live in poverty as a result of these extra costs. The impact of any cuts to disability benefits would be devastating.

We agree with the Government’s ambition to support more disabled people into work. However, making cuts to disability benefits will not achieve this goal or fix the system. In fact, there is little evidence to suggest cutting benefits increases employment outcomes. We know the benefits system is broken and needs reform. That there are disabled people out of work who want to work given the right support. And for some disabled people work isn’t appropriate. Changes to welfare must start here. Not with cuts.

The Government has an opportunity to work with disabled people and the sector to bring about meaningful change. We want disabled people to be heard and supported by the Government. The needs and voices of the disability community should be at the heart of the Government’s plans. Disabled people should not be an afterthought.

We would urge you to safeguard disability benefits from cuts, we fear the cost of cuts is too great.

Yours Sincerely,

Mark Hodgkinson, Chief Executive, Scope

Caroline Collier, Chief Executive, Inclusion Barnet

Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive, National Autistic Society

Charles Colquhoun, Chief Executive, Thomas Pocklington Trust

Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive, Citizens Advice

James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive, Sense

Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive, Mencap

Kamran Mallick, Chief Executive, Disability Rights UK

Matt Stringer, Chief Executive, RNIB

Nick Moberly, Chief Executive, MS Society

Paul Kissack, Chief Executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation

Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive, Mind

Tom Lawson, Chief Executive, Turn2Us

Ayla Ozmen, Director of Policy & Campaigns, Z2K

Helen Barnard, Director of Policy, Research and Impact, Trussell

Juliet Tizzard, Director of External Relations, Parkinsons UK

Peter Osbourne, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Guide Dogs

Share your experience

RNIB is keen to hear from blind and partially sighted people who might be impacted by changes to disability benefits and would be interested in sharing their story. Please get in touch via [email protected] if you would like to be involved.

Additionally, if you have applied to the Access to Work scheme and experienced issues, please consider filling out our short webform to let us know your experience of the scheme.