Welfare Cuts Threaten Disabled Women's Safety Amid Government Backdown

Strategic Insights -

Campaigners warn that welfare cuts for disabled individuals could trap thousands with abusers, despite the government offering concessions on the reforms. Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party has pledged to halve violence against women and girls but is facing criticism for not going far enough to protect disabled survivors.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government's welfare cuts will disproportionately affect disabled women, who are twice as likely to be victims of domestic abuse.
  • Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are crucial for daily living costs for disabled individuals, with 52% of female claimants not scoring 4 points in any one activity, compared to 39% of male claimants.
  • The cuts will make it difficult for disabled women to flee abusive relationships, with Refuge arguing that Sir Keir Starmer will struggle to reach his target of halving violence against women and girls.
  • The Women's Budget Group and Sisters of Frida report warns that the cuts will deepen disabled women's economic insecurity, increase their vulnerability to violence and abuse, push them out of the labour market, and make parenting harder.
  • Dr Sara Reis, WBG's deputy director, warned that the proposed changes will be devastating for disabled women, cutting away income that grants them independence.
  • Labour MP Rachael Maskell expressed concern that ministers would press ahead with the reforms despite the evidence from Refuge and the Women's Budget Group.
  • Amnesty criticized the concessions as a superficial attempt to get MPs to vote through the cruel and harmful legislation.

Statistics:

  • 52% of female PIP claimants don't score 4 points in any one activity, compared to 39% of male claimants.
  • 1,000 new people sign on to PIP every day, according to the government's estimate.
  • 126 Labour backbenchers had signed an amendment to halt the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.
  • The government estimates that the cuts will save around £5 billion a year by 2030.

Sources:

  • Refuge
  • Women's Budget Group
  • Sisters of Frida
  • Labour MP Rachael Maskell
  • Amnesty