7% Back Cuts To Disability Benefits

A recent survey by the British Social Attitudes report has found that a majority of Tory and Reform voters do not support cuts to disability benefits. The survey, which interviewed 4,656 people, found that only 7% of respondents backed cuts to disability benefits, while 49% said they should be increased.

The survey suggests that proposals to reduce spending on disability benefits could be politically risky, with little appetite for cuts even among Conservative and Reform voters. In fact, 40% of Tory and Reform UK voters supported more spending on claimants who could not work, while just 10% supported less spending.

Labour voters were also strongly opposed to cuts, with only 5% favouring reduced spending and 57% backing more generous spending. The survey's findings come as two government-commissioned reviews of the personal independence payment (Pip) benefit and support for jobless youngsters are expected imminently, amid speculation that they will seek to restrict spending on disability benefits.

## Why it matters The survey's findings highlight the potential political risks of proposing cuts to disability benefits. With such strong public support for maintaining or increasing spending, any attempts to reduce benefits could be met with significant opposition. The fact that even among Tory and Reform voters, there is little appetite for cuts, suggests that politicians would be wise to exercise caution when considering changes to disability benefits.

The report's co-author, Robert de Vries, noted that support for disability benefits remains remarkably strong, with very few people favouring cuts. This is likely due to the fact that disabled people are seen as among the most deserving recipients of support. As such, proposals to reduce disability benefits appear politically risky across the political spectrum.