Welfare reforms must be shaped by and for disabled people, the
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir said today [Monday 07
April], as the official consultation on the Government's
proposals begins.
It comes as the government commits to the establishment of
‘collaboration committees' to further develop the reforms,
bringing together groups of people for specific work areas to
provide discussion, challenge, and make recommendations.
Announced on Tuesday 18 March, the proposed reforms will ensure
that sick and disabled people have the same opportunities to work
as anyone else, and will unlock work, boost living standards, and
help grow the economy as part of the government's Plan for
Change.
They will also seek to overhaul the broken benefits system so it
supports those who need it, while helping those who can work into
jobs and delivering fairness to the taxpayer.
The Minister for Social Security and Disability is urging those
likely to be affected by the changes – either individually or
through disability charities and organisations – to have their
say through the consultation, ensuring their views help shape the
proposed changes.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir said:
We inherited a broken welfare system, which incentivises
ill-health, locks people out of work and isn't fit for a future
in which so many of us will face long-term health conditions.
We want a system that genuinely works for disabled people and
those with health conditions, as well as the country and the
economy, and we want to hear their views and voices at the heart
of the new system.
I encourage people to engage so they can have their say as we
listen, learn and deliver support which will help millions into
work, put welfare spending on a more sustainable path, and unlock
growth as part of our Plan for Change.
The 12-week consultation on reforms to health and disability
support officially launches today with publication of all
accessible versions of the Pathways to Work Green Paper.
The proposed reforms aim to support people into work, protect
people who can never work and put the welfare system on a
sustainable footing so that it can continue to support those in
need now and into the future. One in three of us faces a
long-term health condition, so we all need a system that can
support us to stay in work or get back into work.
The measures are the latest step in the government's drive to
build a modern welfare system that helps people get jobs rather
than creating unnecessary barriers, with ministers' proposed
plans set to:
- Provide more tailored employment support for those who can
work, breaking down barriers to opportunity.
- Simplify the system and reduce unnecessary assessments,
cutting bureaucracy and making it easier to navigate.
- Improve the way financial support is assessed and delivered,
ensuring it reaches those who need it most and that people using
the system have a better experience and are treated with dignity
and respect.
- Build a more flexible approach that recognises the diverse
needs of disabled people and those with long-term health
conditions.
Without changes, it is forecast that the system could cost as
much as £70 billion a year by the end of the decade and risk not
being there for people when they need it in future.
Issues open for consultation include:
- Supporting people to thrive with the new support offer.
- Supporting employers and making work more accessible.
- Reforming the structure of the health and disability benefits
system.
These are part of the wider reforms that also include
reintroducing reassessments for people on incapacity benefits who
have the capability to work to ensure they have the right support
and aren't indefinitely written off, targeting Personal
Independence Payments for those with higher needs, and
rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit.
Additional Information:
- For more information and to have your say, please see
the Pathways to Work -
GOV.UK consultation page. The consultation
closes on Friday 30 June 2025.
- The Government announced the biggest shake up to welfare for
a generation: Biggest shake up to
welfare system in a generation to get Britain working -
GOV.UK
- Please see the Health and Disability Green
Paper: Pathways to Work:
Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green
Paper - GOV.UK
-
DWP
intend to run a number of accessible virtual and face-to-face
events on the Green Paper to hear from stakeholders, including
disabled people and their representative organisations,
directly. More information on these events and registration is
advertised on the consultation pages on GOV.UK.
- We are committing to the establishment of ‘collaboration
committees' to further develop our reforms. This means we will
bring together groups of people for specific work areas who will
meet to collaborate with civil servants and provide discussion,
challenge, and recommendations. Each group will have a different
mix of people including both those with lived experience of the
policy area and other experts.
