Victoria Wright
On July 9 2025, Members of
Parliament
Parliament is a group of people who make laws and check what the government is doing.
voted to pass the Universal Credit Bill, which will now become
law
Laws are the rules that everyone in the country has to follow. If you don't follow the rules you can get in trouble with the police.
.
We’re deeply concerned about the impact this will have on disabled people.
“By pushing ahead with these
cuts
Cuts are when there is less money to pay for things like clubs and support.
, the government will leave future claimants £3000 a year worse off," said our chief executive Jon Sparkes, OBE. "This will condemn disabled people with the most complex needs - people who cannot work and have no alternative
income
Income is all the money you get from things like paid jobs and government benefits.
- to poverty and a lifetime of existing rather than living.
“It’s important the government is committed to listening to the needs of disabled people in reforming the PIP system. People with a learning disability should be at the heart of these reforms and we welcome today's commitment and reassurance that this will happen.”
What does the bill mean?
- From April 2026, anyone making a new claim for Universal Credit who has a disability or health condition will receive less
financial
Financial means anything that is to do with money. It is used to describe how people, businesses, or governments get money and how they use it
support than other people who are already receiving it.
- Disabled people with serious health needs could be £3,000 worse off each year. As we told The Mirror, these cuts risk pushing many disabled people - especially those unable to work - into poverty.
We’re extremely disappointed that this bill will become law. But with your continued support, we’ll keep fighting for a fairer benefits system for people with a learning disability.
What’s happening with Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?
There is some positive news. Any changes to PIP eligibility will be delayed until after a full review, led by Sir Stephen Timms, Minister of State for Social Security and Disability.
The Timms Review of the PIP
Assessment
An assessment is a way of finding out what help a person needs. When you have an assessment, you might have to go to a meeting or fill in a form.
is expected to conclude by Autumn 2026, and no changes to PIP will happen before then.
Thanks to the efforts of Marie Tidball MP, working with Mencap and other disability organisations Organisations are groups like companies and businesses. , the Minister has agreed to co-produce the review with disabled people and the organisations that represent them.
We welcome this commitment and will work to ensure that people with a learning disability have a central voice in shaping the future of PIP.
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