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More than meets the eye

This piece explores the implications of the UK’s Comprehensive Spending Review, which necessitates £18bn in welfare savings, particularly affecting blind and partially sighted individuals. The Welfare Reform Bill, framed under the guise of fairness and simplification, may inadvertently deepen inequalities. As proposals to reform Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and introduce a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) unfold, the narrative indicates significant budget cuts and reassessment measures. This analysis highlights potential threats and opportunities within a changing welfare landscape.

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More than meets the eye

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Presentation Transcript

  1. More than meets the eye Why the welfare cuts will hit blind and partially sighted people particularly hard

  2. Economic context • The Comprehensive Spending Review means £18bn savings have to come from welfare • Other government plans predicated on making welfare savings • Contraction of the state - this is a long-term project

  3. Political context • Promise of fairness - “we are all in this together” • Welfare Reform Bill • A narrative about simplification and helping people into work • Comparison with the Health Bill

  4. Public perceptions • No more “something for nothing” attitude on the increase • Squeezed Middle • YouGov and other polls show attitudes are hardening

  5. Fairness • Progressive or Regressive? • Poverty alleviation or social mobility • Simplified benefits system not necessarily fairer for people with complex needs

  6. Welfare Reform Bill • January 2010 - December 2010 (tbc) • Many proposals - but focus today on disability benefits • Government majority dictates amendments will need to be made in the Lords • Labour emphasis on responsibility

  7. Key proposals Opportunities • Might be some people who gain from the Universal Credit • Simpler forms • A more responsive and flexible system?

  8. Key proposals Many more threats • DLA reform and introduction of Personal Independence Payment in 2013 • Review of DLA mobility in residential care • Employment and Support Allowance time limit

  9. DLA reform • More than £1bn budget cut by 2015 • DLA “past its sell-by date” • No more automatic entitlements • New assessment

  10. DLA reform • Re-assessment for existing claimants • Periodic reviews • New components for Personal Independence Payment • Qualifying period • Adaptation to impairment

  11. Out-of-work benefits • Incapacity Benefit re-assessment began in April 2011 • Work Capability Assessment problem • Employment and Support Allowance time limit

  12. Other issues to consider • Benefits cap • Universal Credit • Disability premium and passporting • Welfare-to-work and sanctions

  13. Analysis • Targeting vs universalism • Who wins? • Legal aid and advice? • Clearing the poor away?

  14. What can you do? • Hardest Hit campaign • Short window to influence the Bill • October crunch date • Liberal Democrats key • Show what impact a loss of DLA would have

  15. Thank you Andrew Kaye 020 7391 2136 andrew.kaye@rnib.org.uk

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