More than 100 of the UK’s most well-known disabled celebrities have signed an open letter to Sir Keir Starmer, slamming “inhumane and catastrophic plans” to cut PIP and Universal Credit. They are also asking for other disabled and neurodivergent to join their cause with a new campaign.
Encouraging people to use the hashtag #TakingThePIP to share their experience, contact their MPs and use social media to take a stand. Among the list of signatories are TV and film stars Liz Carr, Ruth Madeley, and Coronation Street star Cherylee Houston who is a co-organiser of the letter. She told the Guardian the organisers were compelled to “do something” to oppose the “barbaric” policy.
Adolescence writer Jack Thorne, comedians Lee Ridley and Rosie Jones as well as actor Lisa Hammond and broadcaster Sophie Morgan have also signed the letter.
It argues that the planned eligibility restrictions for PIP claimants and changes to the health component of Universal Credit is a matter of “survival” and “basic human rights”.
It notes that 700,000 families already in poverty will “face further devastation”, citing new Resolution Foundation analysis. It said: “This is not reform; it is cruelty by policy.
“We have already endured a decade of austerity, disproportionate pandemic losses, and life-costing cuts. We, the undersigned, will not stand by while our community is sacrificed for the illusion of savings. For us, Pip is not a benefit – it is access to life.”
It warns that the planned changes will “strip financial support” from the most vulnerable, worsen social exclusion and “increase disability-related deaths”.
Additionally, it highlights that unpaid carers will lose income too due to the PIP change which could “overwhelm local councils” by putting care needs onto them instead.
The government’s plans are set out in a green paper that is currently open to consultation. It details how the eligibility criteria would change for PIP, making it so people need to be more severely impacted by their disability day-to-day in order to receive support.
The health element of Universal Credit is also due to change, although MPs are due to vote on this in the autumn. A government spokesperson told the Guardian: “We are determined to support people in all parts of the country by tackling poverty and creating secure, well-paid jobs.
“Pip is a part of the way that we support disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. But with the number of people claiming Pip doubling since the pandemic, it’s right that we rebalance the system to ensure support is targeted to those who need it most.
“Alongside this, as part of our plan for change, we’ve increased the national living wage, uprated benefits, and are helping over 1 million households by introducing a fair repayment rate on universal credit deductions.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
