Claire Morgan 19/05/2025 Joe's Soapbox

All Wales People First are very concerned about the UK Government’s Spring statement which talked about large cuts to PIP.

PIP is already a difficult benefit to claim for. Especially for those who do not have a physical impairment.

The changes will make this even harder.

People with disabilities such as Mental Health conditions, Learning Disability and Autism may find it more difficult to qualify.

The UK Government says that they are going to invest this money into getting people into work instead.

But that is one of the things that PIP is supposed to be for.

Without PIP many disabled people will be put further into poverty.

People with learning disabilities and autism have poor experiences in the workplace.

The support we need to succeed is simply not there.

Now we face a situation where people with disabilities may lose benefits and have little chance of being employed.

Our National Council are not happy about the announcements to change benefits.

They have asked All Wales People First to make this a campaigning priority.

The changes will not happen yet. There is a consultation about the changes. So we still have time to fight against changes.

We have done some work on this already.

I have written letters to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about our concerns.

We have encouraged members to write to their MPs.

Thank you to members who wrote to their MP and shared the responses with me.

We have been working with Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) on some campaign actions.

This includes protests.

We protested outside 10 Downing Street in March.

It is important that we ask all MP’s to reject the proposals to change benefits.  They are not fair or reasonable.

Disabled people can’t afford to pay the price for the financial crisis.

All Wales People First will be submitting a response to the Benefit Reform consultation.

We have interviewed our members about their feelings. This will inform our response.

I encourage our members and followers to fill in the consultation.

And tell their MP’s they do not agree with the reforms.

The Department of Work and Pensions are currently sending out questionnaires asking disabled people how they spend their PIP.

It is important for our members to know that they do not have to fill this form out if they don’t want to.

You can read more on our latest campaign actions here