An autism charity says benefit cuts planned by the UK Government are “shameful” and “devastating”.
Tim Nicholls, policy director of the National Autistic Society (NAS), said the cuts would end up “pushing more autistic people into poverty”.
Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has announced plans to slash £5 billion from the welfare system by 2029/30.
Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, is planning to cut welfare costs by £5 billion by 2029/30. Elizabeth Kendall © House of Commons
Fewer people will be able to claim PIP
Kendall announced eligibility for the personal independence payment (PIP) will be tightened so fewer people can claim it. The payment is between £28.70 and £184.30 per week.
This will not affect those currently receiving the benefit. However, it may impact them when they reapply or are reassessed after the new rules come into force.
Also, incapacity benefits paid through universal credit will be frozen for existing claimants at £97 per week from April next year.
This means they will not increase in line with inflation until 2029/30.
And new claimants will only receive £50 per week in 2026/2027.
No incapacity top-up for under-22s
In addition, those under 22 will no longer qualify for the incapacity benefit top-up to universal credit.
But the Government has promised to protect support for those with the most severe disabilities.
Those with lifelong conditions with no prospect of improvement, who will never be able to work, will get an additional premium through universal credit.
Nicholls said the changes would leave autistic people feeling “really scared”. This was especially the case with the tougher rules on PIP.
He added: “What about the support for autistic people on unemployment benefits? With only three in 10 autistic people in work, the Government’s priority should be the removal of extensive barriers to employment, not the safety net that autistic people rely on to survive.”
Fixing the ‘broken welfare system’
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said it was taking action to fix the “broken welfare system”.
The spokesperson said the aim of the changes was to make it “fair on the taxpayer” and “sustainable enough to support those with the highest needs for years to come”.
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Published: 26 March 2025
