APPG Publishes Report on the Disproportionate Impact of Poverty and Inequality on Disabled People

Posted on 16 Jun 2025 under News, Latest News

Today the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Poverty and Inequality has published its report from its inquiry into the disproportionate impact of poverty and inequality on disabled people.

Our report brings together information from over 70 submissions to the APPG’s call for evidence. 26 submissions came from people speaking directly from their own lived experience. The APPG extends its thanks to all who took the time to submit evidence and contribute to the final version of this report. The vast majority of submissions raised concerns and criticisms of the proposals laid out in the government’s Green Paper, warning that the planned reforms to disability benefits would have severe and far-reaching consequences. Respondents expressed fears that the proposals risk deepening poverty, increasing inequality, and further marginalising disabled people, particularly those already facing multiple forms of disadvantage. This report draws on the evidence submitted to examine the likely impact of the proposed reforms and to highlight the urgent need for a more inclusive, just, and equitable social security system.

Our report found that disabled households face additional barriers and costs, including higher spending on food, heating, transport and medical support, which can amount to additional costs of over £1,000 per month. These costs, combined with inaccessible public services and a punitive social security system, already push many disabled people to the brink.

Yet the Government’s Green Paper proposes sweeping cuts to disability benefits, most notably changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) element of Universal Credit. Our report warns that:

• Up to 800,000 people could lose PIP support entirely
• Some individuals stand to lose up to £886 per month
• 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, will be pushed into poverty (government estimate)
• The proposals could result in a £1.1 billion cut to unpaid carers’ support

Siân Berry MP and Baroness Lister, Co-Chairs of the APPG, said:

“Disabled people already face unacceptable levels of hardship. These proposals won’t remove barriers to employment—they will add new ones by stripping people of the income they rely on to survive. The evidence is clear: these cuts will deepen inequality and force people further into crisis. We urge the government to listen to those most affected and change course immediately.” 

Our report recommends:

• Withdrawing the proposed cuts to disability benefits in the Green Paper
• Increasing benefit levels to reflect real living costs and disability-related expenses
• Ending repeated and harmful reassessments
• Co-producing a redesigned social security system with disabled people and disabled people’s organisations
• Investing in accessible housing and transport to tackle structural barriers and inequalities

Our report urges the government to abandon its current plans and instead work with disabled people to build a system that supports equality, independence, and opportunity for all.

Read the full report at the links below:

The full report can be found here.

A large print version of the report can be found here.

An accessible version of the report can be found at the link here. (This can also be downloaded)

A summary version of the report can be found here.