NUJ's Disabled Members' Council expresses grave concern over proposed welfare reform
Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, has joined trade union leaders in criticising the government’s benefit reforms following the introduction of their “Pathways to Work” green paper this week.
The Trade Union Coordinating Group released an open letter which said, “As leaders of 11 national trade unions collectively representing over 1 million workers across the UK, we are profoundly concerned by the proposals outlined in the ‘Pathways to Work’ green paper.”
The letter also states:
"We call on you to think again, to withdraw these measures, and to appeal to Treasury colleagues to introduce greater flexibility into the fiscal rules in order to enable the investment necessary to provide genuine support to those unable to work, and to bring down the numbers of people unable to work in the longer term."
Strong condemnation from the trade union movement has included opposition from Paul Nowak, TUC general secretary, stating, “We urge ministers to reconsider the scale of proposed cuts in disabled people’s incomes. Disabled people who are unable to work must not be pushed further into hardship.”
In outlining the benefit reforms in parliament, Liz Kendall, work and pensions minister, said the changes would benefit those who can work to get back into work, while protecting those who cannot. The NUJ recognises that whilst detail of proposals will need to be reviewed, government’s reforms have led to a chorus of anger from disabled people’s organisations, disability charities, campaigners, and trade unions. There is widespread fear in the grassroots disabled people’s movement.
Proposed changes will result in £5bn of cuts to disability and incapacity benefits and they are expected to leave up to one million people worse off. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has said the savings from these changes “would make it a bigger cut to welfare than seen in any fiscal event since 2015.” Government proposals include a tightening of the criteria for claims for personal independence payments (Pip). The benefit is paid regardless of whether someone is in work, to compensate for the additional costs of being disabled. It is not linked to employment status.
The union’s Disabled Members’ Council has expressed its grave concern over the impact on members. They stress the need for accurate and fair reporting on proposals, noting language that stigmatises or devalues disabled people and their lives, undermines reporting and creates misinformation.
They said:
“We urge journalists to avoid making assumptions about disabled people’s experiences or their circumstances and backgrounds. Scrutiny of proposals should actively seek the voices of disabled people and deaf and disabled people's organisations. We are deeply concerned over misguided proposals to remove Pip from those who rely on funds and urge genuine and meaningful engagement with individuals and groups impacted.”
Natasha Hirst, NUJ president, said:
“The cuts will push disabled people further into poverty and further from the labour market. The UK government needs to address the systemic inequalities and discrimination that disabled people face and ensure that their access to timely health care and mental health services is improved.
“As a disabled person who receives Pip, I understand how vital it is to workers within the NUJ and across the wider trade union movement. It helps to mitigate barriers faced in day-to-day life, including paying for assistive tech and extra costs incurred. It is crucial journalists take the time to scrutinise government's proposals and claims, ensuring that disabled people are informing reporting on these complex issues.”
The deadline for the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper consultation is 30 June.