Easy Read: What Next? Welfare, Benefits and Access to Work Changes

23 July 2025

News & Campaigns

Easy Read: Welfare, Benefits and Access to Work Changes

              Who wrote this?

This briefing was made by What Next? with d/Deaf and Disabled arts and culture leaders. It helps explain changes to benefits and what you can do.

              What is happening?

The government wants to:

  • Cut £4.8 billion from the welfare (benefits) budget by 2030.
  • Change benefits like:

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

  1. Universal Credit (UC)
  2. Access to Work (AtW)
  3. These changes will affect many d/Deaf and Disabled people who work in the arts.

         Why is this important?

  • Many Disabled people rely on these benefits to live and work.
  • The changes could take money away from 1.3 million people.
  • Some people will not be able to work or take part in the arts without this support.

What are the two main issues?

1. PIP and Universal Credit Cuts

  • A new Bill (proposed law) was introduced on 18 June 2025.
  • It could remove or change benefits for many people.
  • The vote on this law is likely on 1 July 2025.

2. Access to Work and Other Changes

  • The government is asking people to give their opinions on changes.
  • You can fill in a form (called a consultation) by 30 June 2025.

What you can do

For PIP and UC:

  • Tell your story to your MP (Member of Parliament).
  • Ask your MP to support Early Day Motion 949 (this opposes the cuts).
  • Use social media to spread the word.

Helpful websites:

  • Write to your MP
  • Early Day Motion 949
  • Taking the PIP campaign

For Access to Work:

  • Fill in the consultation form by 30 June 2025.
  • You do not need to answer every question—only the ones that matter to you.

Consultation form:

Pathways to Work Green Paper

How does this affect the arts?

  • Delays and cuts in Access to Work are stopping people from working.
  • Some arts leaders have had to quit because support was cut.
  • Arts organisations are paying costs while they wait for Access to Work funding.

How to get help or support

  • Decode: helps with Access to Work.
  • DASH resources: actions to take.
  • Disability Arts Online: information and tools.
  • Jess Thom video: explains her experience.

Other things you can do

  • Respond to the Arts Council England review.
  • Say why access, diversity, and inclusion are important.
  • Deadline: 30 June 2025

What is What Next? doing?

  • Holding a public meeting on 2 July 2025
  • Helping people contact MPs
  • Supporting arts and culture workers
  • Collecting stories and responses

If you want to share your story or need help, email: info@whatnextculture.co.uk

Important Notes

  • What Next? is not political. They support fair access for everyone.
  • What Next? follow the Social Model of Disability, which says that people are disabled by barriers in society, not by their condition.

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