Story perspectives

Charities Urge DWP Against Disabled Youth Benefit Cuts

8/19/2026

Center

Charities Urge Benefits

Over 40 charities and organisations wrote to DWP chief Pat McFadden urging the government not to cut benefits for disabled young people.
Mayor Andy Burnham said he will avoid crude benefit cuts while seeking to lower the welfare bill and tighten eligibility.
Alan Milburn’s DWP benefits review will recommend expanding supported-internship schemes for disabled youth.
Milburn reported about 70% of participants in top internship programmes secure paid jobs.

Left

Charities Oppose Cuts

Over 40 UK charities wrote to Department for Work and Pensions chief Pat McFadden urging the government not to cut benefits for disabled young people.
Mayor Andy Burnham announced 24-hour free bus passes for disabled people to improve access to work.
The charities say cuts would deepen poverty and replace support with punitive sanctions.
Labour MP Rachael Maskell called for co-produced solutions to help disabled youths access employment.

Blindspot

Mayor Andy Burnham announced 24-hour free bus passes for disabled people to improve access to work.
Labour MP Rachael Maskell said disabled young people need support and co-produced solutions to access employment.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Center-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 1995 Disability Discrimination Act, passed by John Major after a 100,000-person campaign, required the DWP to reserve at least 5 % of training for disabled youth, a target met by 2002. Today, with disabled employment at 45 % versus 77 % for others, charities pressure DWP chief Pat McFadden and Mayor Andy Burnham proposes free bus passes, echoing the Act’s legacy.

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Charities Urge Benefits

Over 40 charities and organisations wrote to DWP chief Pat McFadden urging the government not to cut benefits for disabled young people.
Mayor Andy Burnham said he will avoid crude benefit cuts while seeking to lower the welfare bill and tighten eligibility.
Alan Milburn’s DWP benefits review will recommend expanding supported-internship schemes for disabled youth.
Milburn reported about 70% of participants in top internship programmes secure paid jobs.

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