CPAG’s response to Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper

The package of reforms set out yesterday will result in a net reduction in social security expenditure of £5 billion by 2029/30. This is the biggest cut to disability benefits in a generation, and will push children and families into poverty, and reduce living standards for many.

The combined impact of more restrictive eligibility criteria and the reduced adequacy of disability benefits will mean some households lose over £100 a week.

An increase in the universal credit (UC) standard allowance and more funding for employment support are welcome steps, and will partially mitigate the impact, but these will not compensate for the devastating losses many families will face.

These reforms risk undermining wider government objectives to tackle child poverty and increase living standards by the end of this parliament.

If the government is serious about reducing child poverty and supporting sick and disabled people into work it needs to invest in the social security system.