Extra Cost of Being Disabled in the UK to Rise by Almost 12% in Five Years, Says Scope Report

Being disabled in the UK is getting more expensive. Scope, a charity that helps disabled people, has released a new report. The report shows that the extra cost of being disabled will rise by almost 12% over the next five years. This means that disabled people will face even higher costs in their everyday lives.  

What is the ‘Extra Cost of Being Disabled’?

Disabled people face higher costs than others. This is because they often require additional support and specialised equipment. For example, some individuals require medical equipment to help them live their lives. This equipment uses electricity, which can lead to higher energy bills. Others may require additional heating because cold weather can exacerbate their health conditions.

Scope’s report shows that, right now, people with disabilities in the UK are spending an extra £1,095 every month. This is more than the average person consumes. These additional costs primarily cover items such as medical equipment, extra transportation, and specialised care. For some individuals, this additional cost can be a significant burden.

What Does the Future Hold?

The Scope report predicts that these additional costs will keep rising. It expects the extra cost of being disabled to reach £1,244 per month by 2029. That’s an increase of about £150 every month. Over the next five years, this could amount to nearly £15,000 per year in additional costs for disabled people.

This means that by the end of the decade, disabled people will face a lot more financial strain. While everyone has to deal with the rising cost of living, disabled people have to manage even more expensive daily lives. These rising costs pose a significant challenge, particularly for individuals who lack sufficient support.

The Government’s Welfare Reform and Its Impact

In the UK, the government provides financial assistance to support individuals with disabilities. People call this money “Personal Independence Payments” (PIP). PIP helps people cover the extra costs of being disabled.
However, the government is planning to make changes to how PIP works. They want to reduce the amount of money some people get.

Earlier this year, the government proposed new rules that would make fewer people eligible for PIP. They also wanted to cut the health-related part of Universal Credit (UC), which is another type of benefit. However, these changes were not universally welcomed. In fact, over 100 Labour MPs (Members of Parliament) protested the plan.

The Two-Tier System Concern

Some people worry that these changes will create a “two-tier system.” This means that some disabled people will get enough support, while others will not. People already receiving PIP will continue to get their support, but new claimants may not receive as much. This could create a situation where some disabled people get enough support, while others struggle to cover their extra costs. 

Scope believes that the changes will leave many disabled people in financial difficulty. This is because the government’s benefits do not fully cover the extra costs they face. Even with the current PIP, there is a shortfall. Disabled people are still spending around £630 a month more than they receive in benefits.In the future, people expect this shortfall to rise to £704 a month.

What Needs to Change?

Scope is calling on the government to implement more significant changes. They want the government to work closely with people with disabilities to create a better system. The current plan doesn’t solve the problem. It could make things worse. Disabled people already face high costs, and the government needs to provide more support to cover these costs.

The government’s plan to cut benefits could make life even harder for disabled people. If the government doesn’t change its approach, many disabled people will continue to face financial difficulties. 

Conclusion

The extra cost of being disabled in the UK will rise by almost 12% in the next five years. This means that by 2029, disabled people will be spending an extra £1,244 a month. The government’s welfare reforms, including cuts to PIP, could make things even harder. 

It is clear that action needs to be taken. Disabled people deserve better support from the government. The government must listen to the needs of disabled people and work to create a fairer welfare system. Only then can we ensure that all disabled people get the help they need to live comfortably.

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