Parliament will vote for workers’ disability benefits cuts without knowing how many affected people will be able to find jobs after it is revealed that the UK’s economic watchdog may not publish forecasts for employment impacts until the end of October.
Last week, the Work Pensions and Pensions’ own Impact Assessment Bureau predicted that the cuts announced in the benefits of disability would drive at least 300,000 children into poverty in green paper.
The minister argues that those who have been struck by plans to limit individuals’ independent payments (PIP) eligibility and reduce the health components of new claimants’ universal credits can avoid poverty by finding jobs supported by the £1 billion disability employment support package announced along with benefits cuts.
However, the Independent Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) could not say how effective these employment support measures were when it published its green paper assessment last week.
Instead, OBR plans to include an assessment of the labor market impact of green paper in the fall forecast issued last October 30th.
That could come even after lawmakers vote for major profit cuts. The government intends to bring key legislation at the current parliamentary session, which is expected to end in July. This law will implement reductions from 2026 to 2027.
“Forcing policy changes without a full analysis isn’t just about poor governance, but it’s not trying to assess whether the policy is effective,” said Labour MP Rachel Muskell, an opponent of the cut.
“If the interests of people with disabilities are very high, the government should not make such decisions. We don’t know how MPs can vote for such policies without having evidence to support their decision.”
fellow Labour MP Neil Duncan Jordan added: “I asked the Chamber of Commerce about how many people can get back to work and help, the programs that will be put in place to achieve that, and how much each will receive from the billion funds that are acquired.
“This certainly means that MPS will likely be asked to vote for a disability benefit change before knowing the full impact of the change, and I don’t know if that’s a good way to make a decision.
The OBR predicts that 3% of those affected by the government’s currently airing plan to limit disability benefits will find paid jobs.
“The lack of details makes sense [MPs] Disabled Mark Harrison said: “We are a thrilled man who has been involved in the cuts of people with disabilities.
The government is discussing “transitional” protections for those hit by pipcuts, but there is no formal public consultation on the maincut itself.
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There are suggestions that avoiding public consultations and using key laws is a way for governments to minimize the risk of legal challenges. The final government consultation on planned reductions in disability benefits was deemed illegal earlier this year after a judicial review.
“Members of Congress need to properly scrutinise the details of the bill,” said Victoria Podgevon Strandman, legal director for the Public Law Project, which supports judicial review. “MP believes it is in a much better position to do this if there is the benefit of the output of a comprehensive consultation process.
The Work and Pensions Public Relations Department said:
That’s why we offer a £1 billion support offer to ensure tailored help to work to break the barriers for people with disabilities. Additionally, as they readjust universal credit payment levels, the main fees for benefits will rise for the first time, thanks to the boost from low-income working families.
“We will continue to provide a social security system for people with severe health conditions and protect the income of those who will never be able to work.”
