Council                                                           Agenda Item 4

Subject:                    Local impacts of HMG Green Paper. ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working’.

Date of meeting:     23 June 2025

Proposer:                 Councillor Allen

Seconder:                Councillor Sankey

Ward(s) affected:    All

Notice of Motion

Labour Group Amendment

This Council Notes:

1. Government proposals in the 18^th March ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper plan a net reduction in welfare spending of £4.8 billion per year by 2029-30, by would reform the welfare system in a number of ways: increasing the Universal Credit standard rate and the value of disability benefits for those considered most disabled; scrapping the Work Capability Assessment; introducing the ‘right to try’ and reforming the disability benefit assessment;

narrowing the eligibility criteria to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), and reducing health-condition related Universal Credit (UC-H). National and

There is much to be welcomed in the Green Paper overhauling, as it does, a broken welfare system. Howeverlocal impacts expected if not mitigated, could include:

· 250,000 individuals driven into relative poverty, 700,000 families falling further below the poverty line and 30% of all families with a disabled member being worse off;

· Increased rent arrears among council tenant privately renting households that include disabled people;

· Increased pressure on social services as statutory responsibilities under the Care Act 2014 will remain but residents’ ability to contribute to costs will reduce;

· Increased use of food banks as 75% of food bank visits are from households with one or more Disabled members.

· The loss of carers’ allowance by those some of the carers in the City caring for people no longer eligible for PIP will mean many unpaid carers will not be able to continue.

This Council resolves to:

1. Request that the Council Leader writes to the Ministers concerned to: Respond to the Government’s consultation by 30 June requesting:
2. • ask for any changes to be paused until
   • a full impact assessment can be undertaken before any changes are implemented;
   • ask whether the proposed cuts merely transfer costs increased and flexible funding from those of central government budgets to  the NHS and local councils, and struggling local economies; such as through the Household Support Fund, so services can provide financial and wraparound support to residents who may lose access to disability benefits;
   • call for meaningful co-production with disabled people in shaping disability benefits policy all government policy, so that policies and services are developed in a way that responds to the needs and experiences of disabled people, promoting their full participation and inclusion in society
3. To request a report is submitted to Overview & Scrutiny (People) which  assesses the impact these changes will have on disabled residents in our community.

Recommendations to read if carried:

This Council Notes:

1. Government proposals in the ‘Pathways to Work’ Green Paper 2029-30, would reform the welfare system in a number of ways: increasing the Universal Credit standard rate and the value of disability benefits for those considered most disabled; scrapping the Work Capability Assessment; introducing the ‘right to try’ and reforming the disability benefit assessment;

narrowing the eligibility criteria to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), and reducing health-condition related Universal Credit (UC-H).

There is much to be welcomed in the Green Paper overhauling, as it does, a broken welfare system. However local impacts if not mitigated, could include:

· Increased rent arrears among privately renting households that include disabled people;

· Increased pressure on social services

· Increased use of food banks

· The loss of carers’ allowance by some of the carers in the City caring for people no longer eligible for PIP

This Council resolves to:

1. Respond to the Government’s consultation by 30 June requesting:
2. • a full impact assessment be undertaken before any changes are implemented;
   • increased and flexible funding from central government budgets to the NHS and local councils, such as through the Household Support Fund, so services can provide financial and wraparound support to residents who may lose access to disability benefits;
   • meaningful co-production with disabled people in shaping all government policy, so that policies and services are developed in a way that responds to the needs and experiences of disabled people, promoting their full participation and inclusion in society