Disability Sheffield worker was asked by Radio Sheffield what disabled people’s concerns were about proposed benefits changes announced in the budget earlier this week.
Listen to the recording here: BBC Radio Sheffield Budget Reaction Disability Sheffield
Andrew Crooks was asked about what this meant to him and other disabled people in Sheffield and he was quick to highlight that the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) came on the back of some already tough measures effecting disabled people badly. Andrew mentioned specifically central government funding for our local authority, where Sheffield had practically lost 50% of its funding for its vital public services. Andrew said this must have an effect on social care services and that disabled people were struggling already.
The budget statement about PIP is seen by many disabled people in Sheffield as the last straw, coming as it does on the intentions to reduce Employment and Support Allowance for unemployed disabled people from April 2017.
In Sheffield we need more help for disabled people to get and keep jobs, as well as improvements to support disabled people in their day to day lives. But in the Disability Sheffield office what we are hearing every day is that people are scared of more cuts coming their way. Disabled people in our city are, right now, saying it’s harder for disabled people to work and contribute to society in the way they want to. For example there are disabled people, like Andrew, who chose to work part time as it is what their condition allows. Whilst other disabled people who do want to access full time employment.
Andrew thinks it’s important to highlight the barriers and prejudices faced by disabled people which limits their success rate in getting the jobs their qualifications and experience say they are entitled to. According to the Labour Force Survey 2015, disabled people remain significantly less likely to be in employment than non-disabled people. In 2014, only 46.1% of working-age disabled people are in employment compared to 73.5% of working-age non-disabled people.
Economically, disabled people are more likely to be affected by poverty and low income which makes the Chancellor’s intended changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments all the more galling. These changes will affect some 640,000 disabled people.
Andrew went on to say that Disability Sheffield took part in a research programme last year that shows disabled people spend an average of £550 a month on the extra costs of being disabled. Disability Living Allowance and PIP – make a vital contribution in covering these costs – currently £360 a month on average.Extra Costs Commission
Andrew recognised that the budget did contain the announcement to provide £330 million of additional funding for employment support for disabled claimants. This is to include tailored peer support to offer shared experiences and support to disabled people to get into work and stay in work. So this was quite positive. However, this proposal is lost in what seems like a torrent of recent announcements which disabled people are telling Disability Sheffield will mean thousands losing out when claiming Employment and Support Allowance, and many thousands losing much needed finances when claiming personal independence payments.
Listen to what Andrew says on BBC Radio Sheffield’s drive time show:
BBC Radio Sheffield Budget Reaction Disability Sheffield
Disability Sheffield would like to hear from disabled people on their experiences in relation to claiming benefits like Employment and Support allowance and Personal Independence Payment. Please do leave your comments and ideas in the space below.
21 Mar 2016 12:20:37
The pressures disabled people are put under are too many and are facing policies that are damaging the advance in equality made in previous decades.