An autism charity says profit cuts deliberate by the UK Authorities are “shameful” and “devastating”.
Tim Nicholls, coverage director of the Nationwide Autistic Society (NAS), mentioned the cuts would find yourself “pushing extra autistic individuals into poverty”.
Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has introduced plans to slash £5 billion from the welfare system by 2029/30.
Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, is planning to chop welfare prices by £5 billion by 2029/30. Elizabeth Kendall © Home of Commons
Fewer individuals will have the ability to declare PIP
Kendall introduced eligibility for the non-public independence cost (PIP) shall be tightened so fewer individuals can declare it. The cost is between £28.70 and £184.30 per week.
This is not going to have an effect on these presently receiving the profit. Nonetheless, it could affect them after they reapply or are reassessed after the brand new guidelines come into drive.
Additionally, incapacity advantages paid via common credit score shall be frozen for present claimants at £97 per week from April subsequent yr.
This implies they won’t enhance according to inflation till 2029/30.
And new claimants will solely obtain £50 per week in 2026/2027.
No incapacity top-up for under-22s
As well as, these underneath 22 will not qualify for the incapacity profit top-up to common credit score.
However the Authorities has promised to guard help for these with essentially the most extreme disabilities.
These with lifelong circumstances with no prospect of enchancment, who won’t ever have the ability to work, will get a further premium via common credit score.
Nicholls mentioned the adjustments would go away autistic individuals feeling “actually scared”. This was particularly the case with the harder guidelines on PIP.
He added: “What in regards to the help for autistic individuals on unemployment advantages? With solely three in 10 autistic individuals in work, the Authorities’s precedence needs to be the removing of intensive boundaries to employment, not the protection internet that autistic individuals depend on to outlive.”
Fixing the ‘damaged welfare system’
In an announcement, a spokesperson for the Division for Work and Pensions mentioned it was taking motion to repair the “damaged welfare system”.
The spokesperson mentioned the goal of the adjustments was to make it “honest on the taxpayer” and “sustainable sufficient to help these with the very best wants for years to come back”.
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Printed: 26 March 2025