Government Welfare Reform Bill vote: Alabaré’s response
A re-think by the Government on their Welfare Reform Bill is being carefully considered by Alabaré, with concerns that changes to the system could negatively impact our clients with learning disabilities and poor mental health.
A re-think by the Government on their Welfare Reform Bill is being carefully considered by Alabaré, with concerns that changes to the system could negatively impact our clients with learning disabilities and poor mental health.
As a charity, we provide supported housing to people with learning disabilities, helping them to live independently, boost confidence and social skills, and be empowered to move into employment where possible.
Alabaré’s mental health services include Access Community Mental Health (ACMH) – short-term, one-to-one support to help people set goals and improve their wellbeing; our Riverside Sanctuary – a daily drop-in service led by people with lived experience, offering a calm, welcoming space and support; and Crisis Houses – where people experiencing a mental health crisis are offered short stays in a safe, supportive place.
While some cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) under the Welfare Reform Bill are rightly being reversed, changes are still expected to the criteria for claiming the benefit.
Those new rules are expected to come into effect ahead of a review into their fairness and effectiveness, and before adaptations are made.
That could potentially leave people with complex needs facing difficulties in ‘proving’ that they should receive PIP, and could in turn lead to vulnerable people falling into poverty, isolation, increased physical and mental health issues and even homelessness.
Alabaré is calling on the Government to consider the personal circumstances of PIP claimants when planning the Welfare Reform Bill, and ensure the support available for our vulnerable people better matches their needs.
We’d welcome the inclusion of lived experiences to inform policies and create a caring, compassionate, honest, and respectful welfare system, matching our charity’s values.