The UK government has announced a major shake-up to the country’s welfare system, promising big changes that will affect millions of people who rely on benefits. One of the most important updates is that people with lifelong health conditions or disabilities who cannot work will no longer have to go through regular benefit reassessments. This change is part of a wider plan to reform the welfare system and make it work better for everyone.
In this article, we’ll explain what these changes mean, who they affect, and what the government hopes to achieve.
Why Are These Changes Happening?
The government says the current system is outdated and not working properly. A large number of people are out of work due to long-term health problems. In fact, about 2.8 million people in the UK are currently not working because of long-term sickness. That’s a very high number compared to other countries.
At the same time, more and more people are applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is a benefit for those who have extra costs due to disability or long-term health conditions. The number of working-age adults receiving PIP has more than doubled since the pandemic.
If things continue like this, the cost of health and disability benefits could reach £70 billion a year by 2030. That’s more than £1 billion every week — about a third of what the NHS costs to run.
The government says it wants to make sure that people who need help continue to get it but also wants to encourage and support those who can work to get into jobs.
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What Are the Main Changes?
The new plan focuses on three key goals:
- Supporting those who cannot work
- Helping those who can work find jobs
- Making the system more affordable for the future
Let’s look at what’s changing in each of these areas.
1. Support for Those Who Cannot Work
- No more regular reassessments: People with lifelong or severe health conditions who are unable to work will no longer have to go through regular assessments to prove they still qualify for benefits. This brings peace of mind to thousands of people who have faced years of uncertainty and stress.
- Guaranteed protection: The government says it will protect the most vulnerable people. If you truly cannot work due to your condition, you will always get the support you need.
2. Helping People Who Want to Work
- Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment: This is a big change. The Work Capability Assessment — a test that decides whether someone can work or not — will be removed. Many people have said this test was unfair and made them feel judged.
- New employment support: The government is spending £1 billion on personalised help for disabled people and those with health conditions who want to find work. This includes training, advice, and help finding suitable jobs.
- “Right to Try” guarantee: This is a new idea that gives people the chance to try working without fear. If someone gives a job a go and it doesn’t work out due to their health, they won’t immediately lose their benefits. It’s a way to encourage more people to test the waters of employment without taking a big risk.
3. Making the System More Sustainable
- Changes to PIP eligibility: To qualify for the daily living part of PIP, people will now need to score at least 4 points on one activity. This means that people with lower needs might not qualify anymore.
- Universal Credit updates: The government plans to increase the standard part of Universal Credit by £775 a year by 2029/30. This change is meant to support people more fairly and make the system easier to manage.
- Youth support changes: The government is thinking about delaying access to health-related support through Universal Credit until someone turns 22. This is still being discussed and not confirmed yet.
What Are the Principles Behind These Changes?
The government says these changes are based on five key ideas:
- Protecting the vulnerable – Making sure people who genuinely cannot work are cared for.
- Better support for jobs – Helping people who can work find suitable employment.
- Early help – Giving support before someone becomes long-term unemployed.
- Trust in the system – Making the process fairer and more focused on what people can do.
- Long-term affordability – Ensuring the welfare system can be paid for in the future.
Who Will Be Affected?
These changes affect different people in different ways:
- People with lifelong conditions will no longer have to face regular reassessments.
- People on PIP with lower needs may no longer qualify under the new rules.
- Universal Credit claimants will see their standard allowance increase over time.
- Young people under 22 might have to wait longer to access health-related support.
- People who want to work will get more help and can try working without fear of losing benefits right away.
What Happens Next?
The changes will be introduced over time, starting from 2026/27. Some will require new laws to be passed by Parliament. The full details of how everything will work are still being worked out.
The government says it will work closely with the governments of Scotland and Wales since some parts of the welfare system are managed separately in those countries.
Final Thoughts
This is one of the biggest changes to the UK’s welfare system in a generation. The goal is to make the system fairer, more supportive, and more sustainable. For many people with lifelong conditions, the end of repeated benefit assessments will be a huge relief. For others, especially those hoping to work again, there will be more support and flexibility.
However, some people may be worried about losing support, especially those on PIP with lower needs. The government says it will make sure people still get the help they need, but we’ll have to wait for more details to understand how that will happen.
As these changes roll out, everyone needs to stay informed and know their rights. If you or someone you know is affected by these updates, it may be helpful to speak with a welfare advisor or local support service.