Disabled Scottish People Fearful of Cuts

About 30,000 disabled people in Scotland could lose entitlement to disability benefits as a result of UK government welfare reforms, according to a new report.

Many have been driven to “thoughts of suicide” over the impact of the cuts, campaigners have claimed.

About 45 per cent of those being re-assessed for the new personal independence payment (PIP) benefit are expected to see their award increase, Scottish Government research has found.

But 44 per cent will initially have their payment cut or removed completely.

It is estimated around 30,000 disabled people could lose their entitlement to non means-tested disability benefits, with those worst affected losing benefits worth more than £7,000 a year if disallowed for PIP.

The research looked at the impact of welfare policies affecting disabled people, including the replacement of disability living allowance (DLA) for working-age people with the personal independence payment (PIP).

Social security minister Jeane Freeman said the research shows the UK government’s “unrelenting strive for austerity”.

Image: Social security minister Jeane Freeman

“These cuts are failing the very people they are designed to support,” she said. “They are causing unnecessary hardship and suffering to people across the country.

Bill, Scott, director of policy at disability campaign group Inclusion Scotland, added: “That’s not even taking into account the hardship being caused to that same group by the introduction of universal credit.

“Disabled people and their families are being left hungry, cold and homeless by these cuts. Is it really any wonder that some have been driven to thoughts of suicide?”