Mind reacts to Spring Statement

The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP has today delivered her Spring Statement.

The statement outlined a number of cuts to benefits and welfare, including: 

• £4.8bn in cuts to social security for disabled people; after investment in employment support and jobcentres, spending cuts will be £3.4bn.
• The savings come principally from tightening the gateway for personal independence payment (PIP) and the reduction in payments through the health-related Universal credit (UC).
• In addition to the cuts announced via the green paper last week, the chancellor confirmed that Universal Credit will be increased £106 a week by 2029-30 – which is down from £107 under previous plans.
• The UC health element will be cut in half, and then be frozen.

Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, said: 

“The extra cuts to benefits announced today are devastating and will push more people into a mental health crisis. People are telling us that they are so worried about the situation they'd be left with no choice but to end their own life.

“It’s a political choice to try fixing the public finances by cutting the incomes of disabled people, including people with mental health problems. Benefits are a lifeline for so many people. Cuts will push people into poverty. This is policy making by numbers with little recognition of the impact on real people’s lives.

“Our Federation of local Minds across England and Wales sees the consequences of these decisions every day. We are always here to support people, but we can’t do it alone. We urgently call on the Government to rethink these plans. We can, and must, do better.”

For help and support, you can contact our Infoline or Samaritans.