SENIOR Labour members have written to the Work and Pensions Secretary over the party's "indefensible" cuts to benefits.
Ellen Morrison, disabled members’ representative on the Labour Party's National Executive Committee, and Kathy Bole, chair of Disability Labour, said they were "appalled" by the Labour Government's proposals to slash the welfare budget by £5 billion, making it harder for disabled people to access benefits.
Writing to Liz Kendall on Friday, the pair said the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) were “deeply concerning” and “represent a cruel and unjust attack” on disabled people across the country.
It comes after Kendall announced the cuts on Tuesday, which will mean a huge number of people are now set to be denied PIP, while the eligibility for the health component of Universal Credit will be raised to 22 years of age.
Morrison and Bole argued that the policy would not have been introduced had Labour co-produced the Green Paper with disabled members, “demonstrating a disregard for disabled people’s rights, autonomy, and lived experiences”.
The letter also calls out the UK Government’s claim that the cuts are necessary to reduce an “unsustainable” rise in disability benefit claims, which Morrison and Bole said “is a narrative built on misinformation and a refusal to acknowledge the reality of disability in the UK”.
According to the UK Government, since the pandemic the number of working-age people receiving PIP has gone from 15,300 to 35,100 a month.
The letter states that the reason the number of PIP claims has increased is because more people with long-term health conditions are in need, as a result of NHS underfunding and the cost of living crisis.
Morrison and Bole wrote: “Instead of addressing these root causes, the Government is choosing to balance the books on the backs of disabled people, making life even harder for those already struggling to survive.”
They also pointed towards Labour’s “cruel” proposal to delay access to the health component of Universal Credit until the age of 22.
“This measure will leave many young disabled people and their families struggling to make ends meet, placing an unbearable financial and emotional burden on those already navigating complex challenges,” the letter reads.
As the Disabled Members Rep on Labour’s National Executive Committee and the Chair of @DisabilityLab we’ve written to Liz Kendall regarding the publication of the Green Paper published on Tuesdayhttps://t.co/v9cARaYqBJ
— Ellen Morrison-Smith (@ellenlmorrison) March 21, 2025
"It is an indefensible act that will push more young disabled people into hardship and remove vital early support that could help them gain independence and employment.”
Morrison and Bole said that “the devastating human cost of these proposals cannot be overstated”, referencing the effects of previous welfare cuts which have seen an increase in poverty, a rise in the use of food banks and “benefit-related deaths”.
The letter adds: “The government’s own figures show that thousands of people have died after being found ‘fit for work’. Your proposals will add to this shameful legacy.”
Morrison and Bole called on Kendall to “immediately withdraw” its plans to restrict eligibility for PIP and Universal Credit.
They said: “This is not the approach we expect from a Labour government committed to fairness, inclusion, and economic growth that benefits everyone.
“We call on you to immediately withdraw the proposed eligibility restriction for PIP and abandon plans to reduce support for young disabled people.
"We further demand that your department engage in meaningful consultation with disabled people and their representative organisations before making any further changes to disability benefits.”
The letter continues: “We will not allow disabled people to be scapegoated or sacrificed in the name of ‘fiscal responsibility’. These cuts must be stopped.
“We look forward to your urgent response and to a fundamental change in direction from this government before irreversible harm is done."
The letter has been supported by Scottish Labour MP Brian Leishman, who said the proposed cuts did not reflect the "real values" of the Labour Party.
Sharing the letter on Twitter, Leishman said: "Solidarity @ellenlmorrison. The proposed £5 billion cuts to welfare will be devastating and are not the real values of the party we are members of."
Solidarity @ellenlmorrison The proposed £5 billion cuts to welfare will be devastating and are not the real values of the party we are members of. https://t.co/v0HK9YMxy2
— Brian Leishman (@BrianLeishmanMP) March 21, 2025
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson said: “Helping people into good work and financial independence is at the heart of our Plan to Change.
“But the broken social security system we inherited is failing people who can and have the potential to work, as well as the people it’s meant to be there for.
“That’s why we are delivering a £1 billion support offer to guarantee tailored help into work to break down barriers for disabled people into work.
“We are also rebalancing Universal Credit payment levels so the benefit’s main rate rises above inflation for the first time in a boost for low income working families.
“This Government will continue to deliver a social security system for those with severe health conditions and we will introduce a new premium for those who will never be able to work.”
