The UK government is facing mounting pressure to withdraw its controversial consultation on disability benefit reforms, following a High Court ruling that deemed the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) process both “misleading” and “unlawful.”
The consultation, which sought to change the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) criteria, has drawn fierce criticism from disability rights groups, legal advocates, and Members of Parliament. At the heart of the backlash are concerns that the proposals would slash support for hundreds of thousands of disabled individuals, many of whom rely on these benefits for daily living.
High Court Slams DWP Consultation
In January 2025, the High Court ruled that the DWP’s 2023 consultation on the WCA was unlawful due to its failure to disclose critical information. This included the department’s own estimates that around 424,000 people could lose up to £416 per month in benefits if the proposed changes went ahead.
The ruling followed a legal challenge from disability activist Ellen Clifford, who accused the DWP of prioritising cost-cutting over the well-being of vulnerable individuals. The court agreed, finding that the consultation period of just eight weeks was insufficient and lacked transparency on its primary goal—to reduce government spending.
According to the Public Law Project, which supported Clifford’s case, the government not only misrepresented the nature of the reforms but also failed to properly consult those most affected.
Potential Impact: Hundreds of Thousands Affected
Documents revealed during the court proceedings showed that the DWP was aware that the proposed changes could drive approximately 100,000 disabled individuals into absolute poverty by 2026–27. Advocacy group Policy in Practice estimates that over 230,000 current claimants, and as many as 600,000 potential future claimants, could see their support reduced or lost altogether.
The financial impact could be devastating. The same analysis estimates that up to 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, may fall below the poverty line as a direct consequence of the proposed cuts.
Campaigners argue that such sweeping reforms would render many disabled people “invisible” in the welfare system, potentially stripping them of vital assistance needed for food, heating, housing, and transport.
“This consultation was dangerous not just in process, but in outcome,” said Clifford. “It was designed to disguise sweeping benefit cuts as administrative reform. The court rightly saw through that.”
What the Government Says?
In response to the ruling, the DWP stated that it is “considering the judgment carefully” and intends to reconsult on any future changes to the WCA. Despite the legal blow, the government remains committed to overhauling disability assessments, framing the move as an effort to help more people return to work.
According to a statement from the DWP, future consultations will provide “greater clarity and engagement with stakeholders.” The department is expected to release a new green paper on disability benefit reforms later in 2025.
Yet critics argue that the government’s focus is misplaced. “We should be addressing systemic barriers to employment for disabled people—not cutting their benefits and hoping they’ll be forced into work,” said one MP during a recent debate in Parliament.
Labour Accuses OBR of Neglect
The controversy has also reignited political tensions. Labour leader Keir Starmer recently accused the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) of failing to properly assess the impact of the proposed £4.8 billion in welfare cuts announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.
Speaking to the press, Starmer said the OBR should have included the social consequences of the cuts in its forecasts, warning that failing to do so masks the “true cost” to public health and social stability. He added that austerity by stealth will deepen inequality and hardship across the country.
What Happens Next
While the DWP’s consultation has been paused due to the High Court ruling, the government has not ruled out pursuing similar reforms in the future. Disability advocates are calling for any future consultations to be extended, inclusive, and transparent—clearly showing how proposed changes will affect people’s lives.
For now, the High Court ruling offers a reprieve to thousands of disabled individuals, but the wider debate over disability support and welfare reform in the UK is far from over.
Resources and Support
- Department for Work and Pensions (DWP): gov.uk/dwp
- Public Law Project (PLP): publiclawproject.org.uk
- Policy in Practice Report: policyinpractice.co.uk
- Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR): obr.uk
Disabled individuals and carers concerned about how these proposed reforms may impact them can access advice through the Citizens Advice Bureau or local disability advocacy services.
