Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about the cost of living support for families with disabilities. While I understand that disabled people and their families can encounter many hidden costs, from specialised equipment to travel expenditures I do not, as a general rule, sign EDMs and as a result, I will not be signing the EDM referred to in your email. EDMs have no prospect of changing the law, are seldom debated and do not raise the profile of an issue with a minister, however, I have laid out my thoughts on the matter below.
Over the last year, the Government has put in place an unprecedented package of measures to support people with the increased cost of living and increased energy costs and it has focussed its support on the most vulnerable.
This year, there will be a £900 Cost of Living Payment which targets support at households on means-tested benefits. In addition, the Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 provides support to help disabled people with the extra costs they face.
The £900 Cost of Living Payment is for recipients of means-tested benefits, meaning that recipients of income-related ESA are eligible for this support. New-style ESA is not means-tested, meaning recipients of this benefit are not eligible for the payment. However, it is important to note that many new-style ESA recipients are also in receipt of other qualifying means-tested benefits, which would entitle them to the £900 payment, or a disability benefit such as Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or the Personal Independence Payment, entitling them to the £150 Disability Cost of Living payment.
Last year, the Government ensured that all households received £400 towards their energy costs and in addition, it made payments of £650 for those in receipt of means tested benefits and also made a payment of £150 disability cost of living payment last year as well. This is in addition to the Council Tax rebate of £150 which was provided to 80% of households.
More generally the Government is continuing to protect the most vulnerable and has increased benefits by 10.1 per cent - in line with inflation - from April 2023 including the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This means that more than ten million households in receipt of working-age and disability benefits will see an increase in their benefit payments. The average uplift for households receiving Universal Credit will be around £600.
The Government is taking decisive and unprecedented action to support households with the cost of living. The Government is maintaining the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 between April and June 2023, saving the average household £160 for this period. This measure will ensure that households are supported through spring when energy costs are expected to remain high and until the effects of reduced wholesale prices are expected to feed through into lower household bills later this year.
The Government is also providing £1 billion of extra funding by extending the Household Support Fund to March 2024, bringing the total of the Fund to £2.5 billion. This is a discretionary scheme operated by local councils to provide targeted additional support.
You can find out more about the Government’s support with the cost of living at my website here: Support with the Cost of Living | Richard Fuller.
In relation to the broader welfare system referred to in your email, I welcome the publication of the Health and Disability White Paper (available here: Transforming Support: The Health and Disability White Paper - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) - a significant milestone demonstrating this Government's commitment to ensuring disabled people and people with health conditions can lead independent lives and fulfil their potential. It sets out an ambitious policy reform package that will transform the health and disability benefits system, including abolishing the Work Capability Assessment so that there will be only one health and disability functional assessment - the PIP assessment - which will also undergo improvements.
To help with travel costs, many local authorities also offer free or discounted fares, and I am encouraged by updates to the Access to Work programme, which enables people to access a blended offer that provides support both at home and at someone’s normal place of work.
It is vital that our welfare system supports those who need it, and I would emphasise that a record £64 billion was spent in 2022/23 on benefits to support disabled people and those with health conditions. I know my colleagues across Government continue to monitor research and campaigning from a wide variety of sources as they consider the future of welfare and disability policy.
You may also be aware that the Government has published a National Disability Strategy (available here: National Disability Strategy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)), which focuses on the issues that disabled people say affect them the most across all aspects and phases of life, including education, housing and transport. Following a High Court ruling, 14 of the over 100 policies included in the Strategy have been paused. While the Government appeals the ruling, Ministers remain focused on their continued commitment to supporting disabled people.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
