New WRC report on the impacts of welfare reform on disabled women and their organisations

A crucial Commons vote is taking place today, Tuesday 1st July 2025, that will mark the next step in the government's welfare reform plans. Their aim to cut billions will push hundreds of thousands of the most vulnerable people in society further into poverty. Women make up over half of PIP claimants and will bear the brunt of these changes. In a bid to stave off a sizeable MP rebellion, the government has offered a recent ‘concession’ whereby the changes would only be applied to new claimants, thus creating a two-tier system. We hope this blatant ‘divide-and-rule' tactic will not work. WRC responded to the consultation, which closed yesterday, and conducted a survey of disabled women and women's organisations about the impact of these reforms and what would actually support them to lead higher quality lives.

Disabled women’s organisations are small, specialist, and often the only providers of trusted support for disabled women navigating multiple disadvantages. Yet, like most women’s organisations that also offer services to disabled women, they are chronically underfunded in the face of worsening inequality, the cost-of-living crisis, and cuts to statutory provision. The government’s Pathways to Work proposals—which aim to cut welfare spending by £5 billion annually—will deepen these pressures and disproportionately harm disabled women.

Download the Pathways to Work Policy Briefing 

Read the full findings and executive summary below.