(Photo by Guy Smallman/Getty Images)
In March 2025, the Government outlined major changes to the social security system, amounting to over £5bn in cuts. Here Londoners in receipt of PIP share their fears of losing their entitlement.
The cuts aren't in effect yet, and they won’t be for some time - but the announcement is already having a real impact on wellbeing.
For many without a direct link to the changes, the announcements can feel distant. Talk of £5bn in savings or an additional 250,000 people in poverty can be hard to contextualise.
These testimonies from clients of the Arachne Greek Cypriot Women’s Group and the Changing Realities project show the devastating impact the announcements are already having.
Sophia (53), Enfield
“PIP means everything to me. I need care every day. I have paranoid schizophrenia. I can’t walk. I’ve had three hip operations, one knee operation, and live with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Every day is difficult for me.
“But my carer is lovely girl, trustworthy, she does the job brilliantly. She’s helped me for 40 years. I don’t want to lose her.
“Arachne Women’s Support helped me successfully appeal a PIP decision in February 2019, after which I was awarded the mobility component. Despite my health issues, I was initially not successful. The knock-on effect of being initially refused PIP meant I was delayed in getting my blue badge too. I had to fight for both. I couldn’t have done that without Arachne.
“The news is making me panic so much. I’m worried about how I will survive, pay my bills. It’s causing me asthma attacks.
Silvana (66), Islington
“I’ve lived with my disability for more than twenty years after surviving cancer.
“If my benefits get cut, I absolutely won’t have the support I need. It’s hard enough as it is.
“I’m worried about the impact on my health. I have so many health conditions to deal with. I feel so isolated. To be frank, it makes me feel hopeless and like there’s not much to live for.”
Nicky (60), Islington
“I am living with heart failure, chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. I also have glaucoma and am blind in my left eye
“Since the disability benefit changes have been on news, I’ve been desperately trying to find out if I’ll be affected.
“PIP means I can get support in my home with things like showering and traveling to appointments. Without PIP, I am effectively a prisoner. I so wish I could go to work.
“I am not well enough to work so can’t access Universal Credit. Arachne Women’s Support are currently helping me fill out an incapacity to work form.
“The uncertainty of all this is unbearable. Devastating really. I can’t sleep at night.
“Thank you to Arachne Women’s Support for giving me a voice.”
Chris (79), Hackney
“I have depression and anxiety, heart problems, asthma and high cholesterol. I’m not mobile after a back operation.
“I am worried because I will feel more depressed than what I do already.
“PIP helps me pay for a carer. I already have had to reduce my carer visits because of the cost, I now can’t afford more than twice a week.
“This all makes me feel so much more anxious. I just feel I will end up more isolated. If I lose my PIP, I feel like I won’t have any other option than to end my life.”
Beverley, Disabled mother of three
"I'm disgusted at the proposals to halve my benefits! My health problems are such that there's no hope of me ever actually engaging in these imaginary jobs for the disabled, in order to earn the amount I'll stand to lose. How am I supposed to live a life of dignity on handouts from a foodbank?
"The government plans to axe disability benefits by half are atrocious and completely unfair. I heard this was coming a long time ago. I never actually believed it would happen nor believed it would be delivered by a Labour government
"I'm worried sick about the prospect of cuts to the amount of benefits I get" I have no ability to increase my income. How on earth am I supposed to pay for the additional costs that come hand in hand with a disability, ie mobility issues, day to day living expenses. These proposals need to be firmly opposed. I for one will be challenging this Labour trickery as they've even blocked attempts for people to ask questions in the consultation.
"I'm livid. Labour has done nothing to uphold their election pledges or support working people and working people are the only ones who spend money. Nobody voted for the country to become even more broken. They are liars and traitors. The media is too compliant or censored and suppressed to join the dots and expose their idiocy.
"I'm appalled by the government’s plans to cut benefits for the disabled. It's become more evident that the government don't care about anyone but themselves and their kind.
"I may be wrong but nowhere have I heard any disabled people say "yippee! I can't wait to get the chance to return to work because the only thing holding me back is the benefits system".
What can I do?
The proposals announced in March are not yet in effect, and won’t be for some time. If you are currently in receipt of benefits, there is no immediate change.
The consultation is open until at least 30 June – anyone, an organisation or individual, can respond. National Survivors Union Network is publishing guidance and templates on how to submit a response.
You can also write to your MP to make your voice heard, using Z2K’s tool.
We know that for many this will be a deeply worrying time. Samaritans offer a free listening service, available 24 hours a day.
