Over 50,000 disabled people could lose jobs as vital support is cut

Over 50,000 disabled people could stand to lose their jobs if changes to their vital disability support go ahead, leading charities have warned.

The Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC), a national coalition of over 50 charities including Leonard Cheshire Disability and RNIB, have analysed the potential impact of planned changes to mobility support for disabled people.

According to the Government’s projections nearly half a million disabled people are set to lose either part or all of their payments under planned welfare reforms.

A Freedom of Information request revealed one in five people receiving this support (Disability Living Allowance – DLA) are currently in work. In a survey of over 1000 disabled people, over half of those using DLA in work said it could be impossible to stay in work without it. This could mean that over 50,000 disabled people currently receiving support (DLA) would be put at risk of losing their jobs.

If these job losses happen as a result of cuts to mobility support, lost National Insurance and income tax contributions would cost around £278m. Disabled people leaving work would also require out of work benefits. Payments for disabled people leaving work could cost over £186m.

The Government’s total cut in mobility support for disabled people in work could save £145m on paper. However, based on the DBC’s estimates this could cost £464m before other costs are taken into account.
Rosanna Singler, Co-chair of the DBC, Policy Officer at Leonard Cheshire Disability said:” We are extremely concerned the Government has failed to fully consider the impact of these reforms. If it is the case that nearly 50,000 disabled people will be at risk of losing their jobs the Government really needs to think again.

We are calling for a full investigation of the costs of these reforms to ensure disabled people can remain in work. It is hugely important that the Government get the change from DLA to PIP right. We should not forget this is a lifeline to many disabled people, giving them more independence. Disabled people need to get out like everyone else, go to work and see their families and friends, and often it is DLA that makes this happen.”

Steve Winyard, Co-chair of the DBC Steering Group and Head of Campaigns at RNIB, says:

“One in five disabled people use DLA to help them in work. But thousands could be forced out of employment as a result of cuts to mobility help.

DWP has failed to analyse this issue to date.  It is vital that cuts don’t  force disabled people out of work and cost more to the public purse overall.”

For a full copy of the report please click here.

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