Rachel Reeves has used her spring statement 2025 to announce a series of public spending cuts to reduce spending across Government, including DWP benefits cuts.
Among the latest changes to welfare spending, Ms Reeves said the universal credit health element – sometimes called incapacity benefits – would be cut by 50% and frozen for new claimants. But, experts have warned the cuts 'could risk lives' .
As protestors gathered outside, it was revealed that the Universal Credit standard allowance will increase from £92 per week in 2025-26, to £106 per week by 2029-30.
It had previously been expected to rise to £107 per week by that year.
Benefits cuts could cost lives, experts warn
Charities and health experts have warned welfare cuts could risk lives, as the Government prepared to publish an official impact assessment into how many people will be affected by its plans.
The savings will largely come from changes to eligibility for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), but also from a reduction of the health element of Universal Credit, and by combining it with Employment and Support Allowance.
Changes to Pip are expected to account for the largest proportion of savings, with the Resolution Foundation think tank estimating this could see between 800,000 and 1.2 million people in England and Wales losing support of between £4,200 and £6,300 per year by the end of the decade.
Charities have reported a surge in calls and visits to their advice pages following last week’s announcement, which came after lengthy speculation about what might be in store.
James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive of the national disability charity Sense, says it's difficult to see the proposed welfare reforms as anything other than a cost-cutting measure: "We are deeply concerned that the government is attempting to balance the books at the expense of disabled people.
“The independent Impact Assessment on welfare reform, published today, paints a stark picture, surpassing even our worst fears – with millions of disabled people at risk of losing vital financial support, and those already most vulnerable set to be hit the hardest.
“Sense is particularly concerned that three million people who have been assessed as unable to work could face a loss of nearly £2,000 a year in benefits. Many of these individuals already struggle to afford essential equipment and support, with half of those affected by these changes going without necessary items due to financial constraints. For these people, further cuts would be catastrophic."
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The analysis also reveals that 800,000 people receiving Personal Independence Payment could be negatively impacted by these reforms.
Mr Watson-O’Neill added: "This benefit is crucial in helping disabled people cover the extra costs of living with a disability, whether they are in work or not. Cutting this vital support is not a pathway to increasing employment for disabled people – it’s a perilous cliff edge that could push many into financial hardship.
“We urgently need the government to implement robust financial protections for disabled people with complex needs, which Sense would like to work with the government in creating. In addition, if the government are really serious about helping disabled people get into work, we need stronger measures to address the barriers to employment, starting with the introduction of accessible technology in Jobcentres and enhanced disability training for work coaches.”
Mental health charity Mind said its helpline advisers had reported that some people had indicated their level of worry was such that they felt they had “no choice but to end their own life”.
The charity’s welfare advice line saw calls rise from 90 the previous week to 182 last week, while other information and support lines received more than 2,540 calls, which was a 10% rise on the previous week.
You might be able to get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you need extra help because of an illness, disability or mental health condition.
— CitizensAdvice (@CitizensAdvice) March 23, 2025
The government have announced changes to the rules for claiming PIP, but these won't happen this year.
If you’re thinking of… pic.twitter.com/B3q2ISw9mt
Disability charity Scope said calls to its helpline on the day of the announcement had more than doubled to 344 from 118 the week earlier, while its online community saw 20,000 interactions on the day compared to 15,000 seven days before.
Citizens Advice saw views of its Pip advice pages rise to almost 80,000 views last week, which was a 44% rise from the week before.
Scope said people feel “abandoned by the Government”.
Writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), they said the reforms, coming after years of austerity, would have a detrimental effect on already-vulnerable people.
One of the group, Professor Gerry McCartney – a specialist in wellbeing economy at the University of Glasgow, said: “There is now substantial evidence that cuts to social security since 2010 have fundamentally harmed the health of the UK population.
“Implementing yet more cuts will therefore result in more premature deaths. It is vital that the UK Government understands this evidence and takes a different policy approach.”
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