Benefits reform may be devastating, recipients say

Plans to shake-up the benefits system have been described in Wales as an "attack on people in society who don't have a voice".

The UK government is expected to tighten the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to cut billions of pounds from the welfare budget.

But there is speculation that ministers may row back on plans to freeze PIP, following opposition from Labour MPs who want to see the payments continue to rise with inflation.

On Sunday, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he had not seen the plans but Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said she wanted "to support people who need help the most".

Chloe Morgan, 30, from Penllergaer near Swansea, has osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, which means she uses a wheelchair or an adapted car to leave the house.

She admits to being apprehensive over the possibility that PIP could be frozen or cut and said disable people already feel like "second-class citizens".

"Anyone with a disability faces so many more costs per month [and] without PIP, I don't know how I'd make ends meet," said Ms Morgan, who works part time.

The process of claiming benefits is hostile, she said, and already puts many people off claiming what they may be entitled to.

She added: "I get that they do need to ask these questions but the assessment feels like an interrogation.

"They're trying to catch you out and you feel like a criminal. I don't think that's fair on people who are disabled.

"So when they say about saving money, there are so many who don't apply for PIP because they're scared of the whole process."

Melanie McLaughlin, 47, from Pontardawe, Swansea, said Universal Credit and PIP helped her live independently, given she cannot work 40 hours a week and the rising cost of living.

"We have a system and it needs be used correctly, but attacking people who have health conditions and disabilities is not going to improve things," she said.

"Don't attack people in society who don't have a voice."

Debbie Warren, from Garnant, added cuts to benefits would be "devastating" and take many recipients "below the poverty line if you're not already there".

"My husband is quite poorly again but he's been told he's fit to work which is ridiculous. He's 65 and recovering from a brain operation."

Hamza Pervez, 21, said he relied on food banks and, along with his stepmother, depended on Universal Credit and PIP to survive because "not everyone on benefits can work".

He added: "It would be very difficult for people who are vulnerable to provide for their household, to bring back food and pay the bills.

"A lot of people would be struggling and fall into debt. We would probably see more people becoming homeless."

The Institute for Fiscal Studies says mental health and behavioural conditions cited by claimants has increased significantly over the past two decades.

In 2002 it was the main condition for 25% of claimants, but had risen to 40% by 2019 and reached 44% by 2024.

Wes Streeting said there had been an "overdiagnosis" of mental health conditions, with too many people "written off".

But disability charity Sense said 43% of disabled people with complex needs were already in debt because benefits payments do not cover essential costs such as food and bills.

The charity's research also suggested 40% of disabled people with complex needs on PIP say benefits have helped support them in order to find a job.

"We already know that many disabled people with complex needs are lacking in the support they need, because benefits aren't high enough," said Evan John, the charity's policy and public affairs advisor.

"So we're concerned that any cuts would not only make that support more unaffordable, but make it harder for them to get into the workplace, more difficult for them to live independently.

"There's a perception that it's easy to claim PIP, but it's not.

"Many disabled people with complex needs find the process long, traumatic and humiliating, involving assessors who don't understand their disability."

Speaking on BBC Politics Wales, former Labour minister Lord Hain said the current system was not helping people, and spoke of the need to create an "opportunity" rather than a "punitive" welfare state.

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott has accused the UK government of being "all over the place and divided" over welfare reform.

The Department for Work and Pensions said: "We have been clear that the current welfare system is broken and needs reform, so that it helps long-term sick and disabled people who can work to find employment, ensuring people receive the support they need, while being fair to the taxpayer.

"Without reform more people will be locked out of jobs, despite many wanting to work. That is not just bad for the economy, it's bad for people too."