Benefits are changing
The government
The Government are the people who run the country. They decide how much
tax
Tax is the money that pays for things like schools, hospitals and the police. There are different types of taxes like
income tax
Income tax is the money that is taken out of the money you earn every month. It helps to pay for things we all need like hospitals and schools.
,
VAT
VAT is also called Value Added Tax. VAT is the extra money you pay when you buy things. The money goes to the government to pay for things like schools and hospitals.
and
council tax
Council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
Tax is the money that people pay to the
council
A council is also called a
local authority
A local authority is also called a council. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live like schools,
social care
Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it.
(support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. They are a group of people who make decisions about some of the things in the area where you live. These include: schools, social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
. It helps to pay for things like social care (support for people), parks and dustbin collection.
.
people should pay for things and how things like the National Health
Service
A service gives people what they need, like healthcare services that help people when they are ill, and support services that give people support.
should work.
has announced plans to change some benefits. If their plans go ahead, some people with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
will be affected.
Tell the government what you think about these changes by writing to your MP.
Mencap responds to the government's announcement on £5 billion cuts to benefits
The government's announcement on £5 billion
cuts
Cuts are when there is less money to pay for things like clubs and support.
to benefits will have a huge impact on the lives of people with a disability. Hear from Mencap CEO Jon Sparkes on Mencap's position on this.
Latest news and stories from Mencap
By Mencap
A fantastic performance by Electric Umbrella
Electric Umbrella (a group of people with a learning disability and neurodivergent people) brought music and joy to our screens on Britain’s Got Talent but unfortunately narrowly missed getting through to the final.
Easy Reads about conditions
Find out about some conditions associated with a learning disability through our series of Easy Reads.
Mencap is here to help
If you need information or advice you can use our free helpline and advice service.
