Steve Witherden, Welsh Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, has written to the DWP regarding the UC & PIP Payment Bill published today

Steve Witherden, Welsh Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, has written to the DWP regarding the UC & PIP Payment Bill published today.

Steve Witherden said "I will be voting against this Bill".

Mr Withern posted to X:

The Government published its UC & PIP Payment Bill today.

Wales already has the highest poverty rates among disabled people in the UK - this will push them deeper into hardship.

We wrote to the DWP urging the cuts be abandoned.

I will be voting against this Bill.

The Letter in full

HOUSE OF COMMONS

LONDON SWIA OAA

The Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP

The Department for Work and Pensions

Caxton House

6-12 Tothill Street

London, SW1H 9DA

Dear Secretary of State,

Impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper on Wales

12 June 2025

The Pathways to Work Green Paper poses a significant threat to over 275,000 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and 110,000 Universal Credit (UC) recipients in Wales. The proposals to tighten PIP eligibility and cut the UC health element will push thousands deeper into poverty. Wales will be hit particularly hard.

Policy in Practise's latest report, The impact of disability benefit reforms in Wales, sees household incomes of an individual in Wales receiving both PIP and the UC Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity element cut by 68% as a result of these reforms.

Percentage of working age population receiving the affected benefits:

Sources: DWP Stat-Xplore and ONS population estimates accessed via nomis

The knock-on effects will place additional strain on the public sector, including local authorities, health boards, and charitable organisations. The Welsh economy is consequently set to lose an estimated £470 million annually.

We therefore urge you to:

1. Abandon current plans to withdraw disability-related benefits.

2. Meaningfully involve disabled people in the design and delivery of any future reforms.

3. Provide transparency on how these changes will affect Wales and interact with devolved responsibilities.

4. Reform the system to support, not hinder, disabled people and those with long- term health conditions.

The UK Government must safeguard the welfare state for those who need it most.

Without meaningful reform, these proposals will deepen hardship and entrench inequality in Wales.

Yours sincerely,

Steve Witherden MP Disability Rights UK Disability Wales

Coalition Against Benefit Cuts

Carers Wales

All Wales People First

Torfaen Access Forum

Disability Arts Cymru

Swansea DPAC

Cardiff & Valleys DPAC

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