It is important to note the recent Government announcement about changes to PIP and welfare benefits, particularly for the disabled community and its support networks. There is an open consultation around the proposed changes which will have wide reaching impacts. Nothing is going to change immediately and anyone currently entitled to PIP (Personal Independence Payments) should still apply. It is unclear exactly how the proposed changes will impact individuals but everyone is encouraged to stay informed of developments and contribute to the consultation to make your opinions and experience heard, details of the consultation are below.
Public Consultation Events
As part of the open consultation there are in person events taking place across the UK with one in Leeds – the location has not been announced but it says it will be an accessible venue and details will be sent to those who register to attend. This event is hosted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to hear from members of the public directly, including disabled people and their representatives.
Date: Wednesday 21 May 2025
Register for the public consultation event via Eventbrite
There are also 6 virtual online engagements taking place about specific parts of the consultation. The DWP are running 6 online events in May and early June in addition to the in person events.
Find out more about virtual events on the consultation website.
What is the government proposing?
The government has announced plans to change allowances paid to people with disabilities in a document titled: Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper
This is an ambitious proposal focussed on health and disability benefits and employment support.
The ambition is to support more people into work, recognising the fact that many disabled people want to be in work but are currently unable to due to lack of support, adjustments or other factors embedded in society (for example, transport, workplaces, equipment, or working hours).
The government estimates that the changes will save around £5bn a year by the end of 2030. PIP is currently paid to more than 3.6 million people who have a long-term physical or mental health condition in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Many charities and campaigners have expressed concerns about the proposals saying that these changes will negatively impact disabled people. Scope have launched the Cost of cuts campaign and petition in response which urges people to ‘Tell the Government the cost of cuts would be catastrophic”.
Green Paper – Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Again
Green Papers do not set out final decisions, they help gather people’s views before developing the final decision.
This consultation is open to gather people’s views about the plans being made by the government to reform the health and disability benefits system and employment support.
The Pathways to Work Green Paper includes proposed changes to:
- Universal Credit
- Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
The Government is consulting on its plans to change disability benefits. However, they are not consulting on changes relating to the scrapping of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) or PIP. Changes to WCA and PIP will take place through primary legislation, anticipated from 2028/29.
You can respond as an individual or organisation using the online form, by email or by post. All details are on the government’s Pathways to Work consultation webpage.
All accessible formats of the green paper and consultation are now available in the Documents section of the webpage, including:
How might people be impacted?
Many of the proposed changes will take a long time to come into effect and it will impact people differently, depending on their personal situation. It may mean that some people will receive less benefit than they currently receive or that people who may be entitled to a level of benefit now may not be eligible, this will be based on an assessment, which the proposals plan to amend the scoring system for, or pre-assessment criteria
People should keep themselves informed and use trusted sources of information, there can be a lot of misleading and confusing information online, especially shared on social media sites like facebook which can cause undue panic and distress.
We have listed some trustworthy organisations and sources of information at the end of this document.
What does this mean for VCSE Third Sector Organisations?
The people you support and colleagues you work with might be affected.
People may be asking you questions about the changes, what they should do and how it will impact them. It will be hard to answer questions in an informed way until the proposals translate into plans with clear actions and dates. People may understandably be anxious and distressed about the changes and should be supported to understand how the plans relate to their individual circumstances with compassion and clarity.
You can support individuals to respond to the consultation using the online form, by email or by post. Responses can by individuals or as a collective, network or organisation. All details are on the government’s Pathways to Work consultation webpage.
Support from Forum Central networks:
Forum Central convenes several networks focussing on a specific health inequality. These networks bring together third sector and community organisations which share common ground for: peer support, to share learning, to advocate for communities of people, to strengthen relationships with commissioners and influence our health and care system. Forum Central VCSE Third Sector support contacts:
Network: Learning Disability
Contact: Dominique Burley, [email protected]
Network: Physical and Sensory Impairment
Contact: Helen Brand, [email protected]
Network: Mental Health
Gabi Obeng Nyarko, [email protected]
Support and information available for members of the public:
Citizens Advice – Leeds
They can provide information about welfare benefits advice, and some areas have a Learning Disability Case Worker.
You can find out more on the Citizens Advice website. On the website, they also have a search option, to find your local Citizens Advice by entering your postcode or town.
Please see Citizen’s Advices’ latest page for: Citizens Advice – Preparing for Your PIP Assessment.
SCOPE
Scope provides practical information and emotional support. You can find out more about them on the Scope website.
Please see SCOPE’s latest page for: Changes to Disability Benefits – What You Need To Know
Welfare Rights (Leeds City Council)
Welfare Rights is a free, confidential, impartial advice and support on a whole range of welfare benefits.
You can find out more on the LCC website.
As well as nationally recognised organisations and statutory providers, you can seek support from smaller Leeds based community groups and organisations which can be found on the Forum Central Member Directory.
