DWP 'reforms': people react in horror over Kendall's plans

On Tuesday 18 March, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) boss Liz Kendall outlined the Labour governments ‘welfare reforms’ in parliament.

As expected, she pissed a lot of people off.

Well said John McDonald. This absolutely will lead to loss of life. It’s not going to improve one disabled person’s life, not one. #DisabilityBenefits

— Sara 💚🤍💜 (@Mabel_Mouse_) March 18, 2025

Someone get the woman a chair and Headspace subscription. Or, as anyone who has sought help for their mental health has been told, a cup of tea and a hot bath.

Liz Kendall has never sounded as aggressively passionate as when she’s arguing against support for disabled people #DisabilityBenefits

— __💚🪷Sara🪷💚__ (@__cosmicdancer_) March 18, 2025

Liz Kendall’s glasses are a serious threat to her health… #DisabilityBenefits

— J L (@jayelle61) March 18, 2025

DWP: more money to private companies

Labour has announced £1bn for DWP ’employment, health and skills support’. There is no doubt, though, that they will give the money to private companies to provide next-to useless advice. Which lets face it, any disabled or chronically ill person has heard before.

I hate the idea of £1 BILLION invested into work support for Disabled People. This will probably go to agencies & Private companies to write CVs & call companies etc. So NO REAL SUPPORT!!! #DisabilityBenefits #DWP #LizKendall

— Celeb_FC (@Celeb_FC) March 18, 2025

Then, Kendall announced that they’d be requiring DWP PIP assessments to return to in-person. This is the exact opposite of inclusive when talking about disability benefits.

#DisabilityBenefits
New PIP assessments announced . pic.twitter.com/IkHqBu72rz

— William Turner (@CYCO1488) March 18, 2025

What about the disabled people who cant even leave their bed, or cannot leave the house without support?

Well I’m glad that PIP won’t be means tested, but in-person only assessments? Not possible here. #DisabilityBenefits

— Paula Knight (@Paula_JKnight) March 18, 2025

The speech included a line about making life for disabled people easier, but as usual, the government is only set to make things harder.

There are going to be a lot of tribunals, more stress for the disabled community #DisabilityBenefits

— 🇵🇸Cait (@IsBanksy2018) March 18, 2025

Real life impact

At one point, Kendall mentioned disabled people being ‘real people’ and having to be careful about how ‘we talk about these things’. That’s pretty hilarious, given the real life implications of her DWP announcements.

Sat here crying because of the proposed #DisabilityBenefits cuts.
I’m basically supported by my retired, terminally ill Mum. Yes, I’m her carer, but this isn’t right.
And then the utterly selfish thought of “what do I do when she’s gone??” just hit me like a train. Fuck 😭

— adventurous_moomin (@CuddleyKelly) March 18, 2025

Between the Assisted Dying Bill and the welfare ‘reforms’ – Labour are really trying to make a point about disabled people.

The UK government once again said “fuck the disabled”

There is literally extremely fucking obvious ways to save £5bn without fucking over those desperately in need

They’re going to kill us#DisabilityBenefits #UniversalCredit

— 🤘Stormy🤘 🐾 (@MetalFolf) March 18, 2025

Labour plan will kill disabled people. Force non-disabled people out of work and into unpaid care. Plunge millions into poverty. Increase pressure on the NHS. Yield less taxes for the government.

All to save £5bn

How much did GB Energy cost?
Ukraine? #DisabilityBenefits

— 😉 (@Official_Peeves) March 18, 2025

Labour also completely failed to mention things that might really help disabled people. For example, too many employers are still able to discriminate based on disabilities and chronic health conditions.

Nah @UKLabour your attitude on #DisabilityBenefits is vile. Not a word about the selfish employers who refuse to hire disabled people & lie about being inclusive, nor about the sky high tax evasion bill and billions siphoned away by the rich. This isnt change its more of the same

— @coffeepowerrr.bsky.social (@CoffeePowerrr) March 18, 2025

What about young people?

Kendall’s announcement included that nobody under the age of 22 would be entitled to the health top-up of DWP Universal Credit. This means severely disabled young people will be losing money that they need to survive.

So my 20-year-old severely disabled son who cannot work will now lose £458 per month. So much for Labour protecting people who need it. Scandalous. Red Tories.#DisabilityBenefits

— Steve Marshall (@kingmarshallIII) March 18, 2025

Imagine growing up in the care system. You age out of the system at 18 with poor mental health due to trauma. Then, the system gives you zero support until you hit 22. That’s four years of no extra help despite a life time of adversity.

Your 18 been in and of care all of your life, you’ve been abused, you’re suicidal, your mental health is extremely poor, you’re receiving treatment.
However, Labour doesn’t think you should be entitled to further health support until you’re 22 years old. #DisabilityBenefits

— music for the mind (@vinylhead82) March 18, 2025

Being penalised due to having a mental health condition is the crux of this for me. They are targeting the most vulnerable people out there. Young people with mental health issues who hurt themselves need protecting & to be understood not targeted. #DisabilityBenefits

— Jo Moon (@joannemoon123) March 18, 2025

It’s easier for the government to blame minority groups than it is for them to face up to the real problems. Rich people hoarding all the money. How about taxing them to make up the billions they do desperately want to claw back from disabled people?

Reminder: it’s easier for a government to villainise disabled people and other minority groups than it is to look inward and know they should be taxing the wealthy and corrupt in order to improve our economy. #DisabilityBenefits

— Hollie-Anne Brooks (@HollieAnneB) March 18, 2025

Labour has wrapped up these cuts as ‘welfare reform’. Meanwhile disabled people are going to feel the full force and real world impact of being forced to in-person assessments and losing money they desperately need to survive.