{"id":39309,"date":"2023-11-22T16:08:30","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T16:08:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?p=39309"},"modified":"2026-03-13T16:10:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T16:10:17","slug":"governments-autumn-statement-gives-with-one-hand-takes-away-with-the-other","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/blog\/governments-autumn-statement-gives-with-one-hand-takes-away-with-the-other\/","title":{"rendered":"Government’s autumn statement gives with one hand, takes away with the other"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo by Nick Fewings<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Today\u2019s Autumn Statement<\/a> by the Chancellor has once again let down people with complex disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement has given with one hand and taken away with the other, uprating benefits in line with inflation while simultaneously heaping undue pressure onto disabled people to find work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s break down what has been announced\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits rise with inflation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Government have raised benefits in-line with September\u2019s inflation rate. As they should.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before the statement it had been reported that, for the April 2024 uprating, the Government was considering using the October rather than September inflation rate<\/a>. This implies uprating by 4.6% rather than the 6.7% announced today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This would have been a mistake, and we are glad the Government have not done this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was vital that benefits go up in line with the current rate of inflation. Anything less than that would have meant a real-terms cut in the income of disabled people on benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disabled people still need more financial support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

However, today\u2019s announcement doesn\u2019t go far enough. The Government needs to go further than simply uprating benefits in line with inflation.  Benefits aren\u2019t enough to live on and we know that people are having to make impossible decisions about eating, heating and using essential equipment.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We know that people with complex disabilities are more likely to be adversely affected by the rising cost of living <\/a>and were disappointed that there were no measures announced to address this.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sense\u2019s cost-of-living research<\/a> found that o<\/strong>ver three quarters of people with complex disabilities (76%) in receipt of benefits are worried about how they financially cope over the winter months.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department for Work and Pensions needs to do more to make sure that disabled people have the money they need to lead independent and meaningful lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s why Sense is calling for the Government to build a benefits system that always meet the needs of disabled people \u2013 whatever the rate of inflation.  We also want to see more targeted support to tackle the cost-of-living crisis for disabled people.  This would include a social tariff for energy to recognise the higher usage disabled people have.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Government plans to get people \u201cback to work\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Government wants to see more people in work. They are doing this by making changes to Work Capability Assessments<\/a>, making them tighter and assessing more people as \u201cfit to work\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The WCA determines entitlement to benefits that help cover day-to-day living costs for people whose capability for work is limited by either a disability or health condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Government says changes would give those who can work \u201cthe right support and opportunities to move off benefits and towards the job market\u201d.  We responded to the consultation on the proposals and raised serious concerns<\/a> about the impact they would have on people with complex disabilities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We believe everyone should be able to work if they want to and can. However, it will never be the right option for every disabled person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst not all the initial proposals are being taken forward, we still have concerns about how the changes will impact on people with complex disabilities.  There is a wider narrative issue around working from home and flexible working meaning that disabled people can and should work.  This may be true for some but there remain issues around the jobs available, access to technology and employer attitudes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simply saying that flexible working has removed the barrier to work puts unfair pressure on disabled people rather than fixing the issues in the system and jobs market.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disabled people need more support to get back into work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We know the Government hopes the changes they\u2019re proposing will help more people into work, it is clear to us that they won\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disabled people already face many unique barriers to entering employment. The Government proposals will try to force people into work, without investing in the right support to remove the barriers they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sense research has found:<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n