Polls Show Low Public Support for Cuts to UK Disability Benefits

1-Minute Brief

Public resistance to reducing disability benefits may influence future welfare policy and political strategies.

Key Facts

• Almost half of respondents in a longstanding poll believe more should be spent on disability benefits.
• The British Social Attitudes report found just 7% of respondents supported cuts to disability benefits.
• There is little support for reducing disability benefits even among Conservative and Reform voters.
• Nearly half of those surveyed said spending on personal independence payments should be increased.
• Support for welfare spending overall has declined in recent years, according to the British Social Attitudes report.

What Happened

Recent national surveys, including the British Social Attitudes report, indicate that a significant portion of the UK public opposes cuts to disability benefits, with many favoring increased spending.

Why It Matters

These findings suggest that proposals to reduce disability benefit spending may face public opposition and could impact political decision-making, especially among major parties.

What's Next

Policymakers may consider these public attitudes when debating future changes to disability benefit spending. Further polling and political responses are likely to follow.