Disabled Being "Hit Hardest" By UK Welfare Reforms

Parents and people with disabilities are being hit hardest by the UK Government’s programme of welfare reform.

Research commissioned by the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee found disabled claimants and those with long-term health problems have also hit by an average £2,000 a year.

The paper also found couples with dependent children will lose an average of more than £1,400 a year, and lone parents with children stand to lose an average of around £1,800 a year from their income stream.

In all, families with children will lose an estimated £960million a year – approaching two-thirds of the overall financial loss in Scotland.

It is the first time the impact of the UK Government’s welfare reform agenda has been asses in terms of types of household  in Scotland.

The research for the Committee was conducted by Professors Christina Beatty and Steve Fothergill of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University.

Committee Convener Michael McMahon MSP said:

“The Welfare Reform Committee has amassed a growing volume of evidence documenting the impact of the welfare reform agenda on Scotland’s communities.

“This latest evidence shows that some of those most in need of support, namely parents and disabled people are being hardest hit. For us to be in this situation in 21^st century Scotland is unacceptable.”

The report suggests that almost half the reduction in benefits might be expected to fall on in-work households.

Deputy Convener, Clare Adamson MSP said:

“The Scottish Government is to be commended for introducing measures to alleviate some of the worst effects of the welfare reformagenda.

“New powers over a range of benefits are due to be given to Holyrood in the coming years and this research will help direct those new powers to help those most in need of support.”