Starmer’s welfare cuts could leave thousands of disabled women trapped with abusers, campaigners warn
Domestic violence charity issues stark warning over welfare cuts
- A new report warns that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s controversial welfare cuts will deepen economic insecurity for disabled women and increase their vulnerability to abuse.
- Campaigners, including domestic violence charity Refuge and the Women’s Budget Group, say that cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) for new claimants will make it harder for disabled women to escape abusive relationships.
- Despite government concessions to protect existing PIP claimants, the reforms are still expected to disproportionately affect women due to stricter eligibility rules for future claimants.
- Charities argue that restricting financial resources for disabled survivors could leave thousands trapped with abusers, undermining the government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls.
- The welfare changes are set to be implemented for new claimants from November 2026.