Survey finds limited UK support for disability benefit cuts
Only 7% of respondents backed reducing disability benefit spending, as reviews of Personal Independence Payment and youth support approach.
A British Social Attitudes survey has found limited public support for cutting disability benefits, with 49% of respondents favouring increased spending and 7% supporting reductions.
The findings come as government reviews of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and support for young people not in education, employment or training are expected to inform possible changes to disability support.
Support for increased spending remained substantial among Conservative and Reform UK voters. The survey found that 40% backed more spending on people unable to work, while 10% supported less. Among Labour voters, 57% supported increased spending and 5% backed cuts.
The survey questioned 4,656 people across the UK between August and October 2025. The British Social Attitudes report cautioned that its findings measure general attitudes, rather than support for any specific proposal.
It also noted that views could depend on subjective judgements about which claimants are deserving or genuinely unable to work, and could change once the people affected by a policy and the risk of hardship become clearer.
The government previously abandoned planned £5bn disability benefit cuts after public opposition and a Labour backbench rebellion. Nearly 4 million people in England and Wales claim PIP, according to the report, while the Conservatives and Reform UK have proposed substantial reductions in disability benefit spending.
