Our submission to the APPG on Poverty and Inequality

The Women’s Budget Group submission to the APPG on Poverty and Inequality outlines the disproportionate impact of poverty and inequality on Disabled people, particularly Disabled women. Disabled women are more likely to be in low-paid or insecure work, rely on social security benefits for a significant portion of their income, and face higher living costs. As a result, Disabled women are particularly vulnerable to the poverty exacerbated by austerity cuts, reductions in housing support, and changes to disability benefits.

Our submission highlights that women make up the majority of Disabled people and are also the majority of those providing unpaid care for Disabled family members. When benefits are reduced or stripped away, it is women who will take on more unpaid care, often at the expense of their own health and wellbeing. Many women are at risk of losing carer’s allowance due to cuts in eligibility linked to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or the health element of Universal Credit (UC). For some, this could be the tipping point, pushing them out of the labour market and undermining the aim of increasing paid employment opportunities for Disabled people.

Further, Disabled women experience higher rates of economic abuse compared to their non-disabled peers. They are also more likely to have a partner or ex-partner prevent them from accessing the benefits they or their children are entitled to. These issues are compounded by cuts to social security and the inaccessibility of support services, leaving many Disabled women trapped in poverty and abusive relationships.

The Women’s Budget Group stresses that any reforms to PIP or incapacity benefits must not push Disabled people, particularly Disabled women, into further poverty. The Government should focus on improving support for Disabled people’s participation in employment and ensuring that reforms address the additional costs and barriers Disabled women face.

Read the full response