Government climbdown on benefit cuts should prompt a fundamental rethink
The New Economics Foundation responds to today’s benefits bill vote
01 July 2025
Responding to the results of tonight’s vote, Tom Pollard, head of social policy at the New Economics Foundation (NEF) said:
“It is right that the government has been forced to rethink much of its package of cuts. This bill has faced a huge amount of concern and opposition not only because of the harm it would cause to disabled people but because of how it was poorly designed in a scramble to find savings.
“It is disappointing that a huge cut in support for people unable to work due to disabilities and poor health after April 2026 will still go ahead. No real evidence has been presented that a lower income will help this group to return to work.
“The government must learn from this experience, not only for how it conducts the Timms review of PIP, but for its whole economic strategy. Protecting and improving living standards, particularly for those on the lowest incomes, should be seen as a necessary condition for a healthy and prosperous country, not an eventual reward for growth.”
Contact
James Rush — james.rush@neweconomics.org
Notes
The New Economics Foundation (NEF) is a charitable think tank. We are independent of political parties and committed to being transparent about how we are funded.
