Neurodivergent Labour is concerned over the plans presented in the government’s Health and Disability Green Paper and the implications these proposals have for disabled people.
The government’s plans include potentially merging Peresonal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) into one means-tested benefit as part of Universal Credit, with a clear agenda to push disabled and neurodivergent people back to work at any personal cost.
Neurodivergent people have felt the brunt of Covid-19, and now the government is trying to reduce the benefits bill by designing a system where all disability benefits become means-tested. This has serious implications for the many neurodivergent people who use PIP to stay in work or live independently.
The Tories have already cut the Independent Living Fund, Disabled Students Allowance, Access to Work and social care funding, making it more and more difficult for neurodivergent people to live independently, study and work.
ND Labour intends to fight these proposals and present the case for keeping non-means-tested disability benefits.