Teen with autism says Pip changes are 'scary thought'

A teenager with autism says she will fight changes to welfare payments that could affect her and other young people.

Lily Langford, 19, from Dorset, was diagnosed three years ago and gets a Personal Independence Payment (Pip) that she uses for accommodation, to put petrol in her car to get to work, and for things like noise-cancelling headphones.

"That little bit of money has honestly, been life-changing. It's just given me the independence that I need," she said.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said there would be a freeze on Universal Credit, and stricter eligibility tests for Pip, the main disability benefit.

Pip is paid to people in England and Wales who have difficulty completing everyday tasks or getting around as a result of a long-term physical or mental health condition.

Lily says she is concerned her payments will be withdrawn: "I'm mostly worried because although I am disabled, I have lower support needs, so it means they could think that I'm not eligible for this.

"They don't know all these people personally, they don't know how it affects their lives, how the Pip can help them.

"Somebody like me, that being taken away is a really scary thought, you just don't know what's going to happen."

The Government said the measures would reduce the welfare budget by £4.8bn.

Last week Lily joined campaigners, union members and residents in Dorchester's Brewery Square to protest against proposed cuts to welfare.

She says she wants to fight the changes because "it is an attack on some of the most vulnerable people in this country".

"It's not just me, I'm worried for all my peers, those I care about, I'm worried for those that I don't even know but I understand what they're going through as well.

"I'm worried for those that are going to be even more impacted by this than me," she says.

The government has said it wants to ease people's fears about losing benefits if they take a job and it does not work out.

In March, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced a £1bn package of support to help disabled people and those with long-term conditions into work.

But Lily says she is not reassured: "Any day someone could become disabled or lose their job.

"Someone could rely on that bit of money. I don't think this is an issue that only disabled people should be worried about.

"This is a whole issue that everyone should be worried about because it will affect them eventually."

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.