Informed 11


Update Labour’s welfare cuts loom


Over the past fortnight, headlines have been dominated by news of the UK government’s plans to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for


work and pensions, is proposing cuts to the welfare package likely to impact thousands across the country in efforts to save a reported £5 billion by 2030. Te proposals focus on disability or sick pay related benefits and a review of the eligibility criteria for Personal Independent Payments (PIP) will be conducted. Tree million working-age people in the UK currently receive Pip, and there has been much opposition to proposals in government’s Green Paper, including from disability charities and trade unions. Laura Davison, NUJ general secretary, joined unions of the Trade Union Coordinating Group collectively representing over 1 million workers across the UK to voice opposition to plans, in a leter to Keir Starmer, UK prime minister. Te leter stressed the “approach is


totally antithetical to the values of the labour movement and will rightly face enormous opposition from disabled peoples’ organisations, charities, faith organisations and everyone concerned with living in a fairer society.” Te NUJ’s Disabled Members’ Council also expressed grave concern over plans stating, “the need for fair and accurate reporting on proposals, noting language that


stigmatises or devalues disabled people and their lives, undermines reporting and creates misinformation.” Natasha Hirst, NUJ president, said


“As a disabled person who receives Pip, I understand how vital it is to workers within the NUJ and across the wider trade union movement. It helps to mitigate barriers faced in day-to-day life, including paying for assistive tech and extra costs incurred. It is crucial journalists take the time to scrutinise government’s proposals and claims, ensuring that disabled people are informing reporting on these complex issues.” As organisations take time to understand the detail of cuts proposed, celebrity voices have added their views.


Poverty and the press


On 8 April the NUJ’s Ethics and Disabled Members’ councils held a discussion on how journalists should report on poverty. Te NUJ helped inform the creation


of guidelines published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) on the


subject, and Naomi Southwell, a media officer at JRF joined the event as a speaker. Te guidelines explore best practice approaches and ask journalists to consider their use of stock images: “Many people find them offensive and feel they contribute to shame and


Sir Stephen Fry said it was not too late for a rethink from government, and that “Cuts should be for people who can best afford them, not for disabled people, who are amongst the most vulnerable and overlooked of all our population.” Actor Brian Cox said “Tis government vowed to tackle the need for emergency food parcels in the UK, yet this decision risks even more people having to seek support. It makes no sense and will have a lasting impact on the lives of so many people already finding it difficult to afford life’s essentials.” NUJ members joined a protest organised by the Disabled People Against Cuts outside N0.10 Downing Street on 26 March, to express their staunch opposition to proposals. Tose joining in solidarity heard from speakers on how proposals would remove vital financial support from disabled people. MPs were among those in atendance at the rally joined by campaigners and welfare rights activists. Te rally formed part of DPAC’s National Day of Action that saw co-ordinated campaigning across the UK. Te NUJ’s Disabled Members’ Council (DMC) has organised a meeting for members of the union to meet elected DMC reps and contribute to discussion on the Green Paper. Te NUJ’s Parliamentary Group will be briefed on concerns, with opportunities sought to engage with Ministers. Te deadline for responses to government’s consultation is 30 June 2025.


stigma, reinforce fatalism, and fail to reflect the breadth of poverty in the UK.” Chaired by Professor Chris Frost, NUJ Ethics council chair, the event also included speeches from Dr Rachel Broady, lecturer in Media, Culture, Communication at Liverpool John Moores University, and Megan Tomas, co-ordinator of the Coalition Against Benefit Cuts.


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