Nearly half of the British public believes the Government should increase spending on disabled people, suggesting any proposals to reduce benefits for this group could prove "politically risky", according to new polling data. The findings come ahead of a Government-commissioned review of the disability benefits system, due to publish its final recommendations later this autumn.
Public support for disability benefits remains strong
Some 49% of adults across Britain think the Government should allocate more resources to disabled people, according to the latest data from the British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey, which has tracked public sentiment since 1983. This marks a year-on-year rise from 44%. Only 7% of those surveyed believed spending on this group should be reduced, down from 11% previously.
When asked about specific activities, 83% backed additional funds for cooking, 80% for budgeting and 78% for washing. Just 3% chose the option "nobody should get any additional money" for all three tasks. The poll was conducted in autumn 2025 and released as part of fresh analysis by the National Centre for Social Research.
Political implications across the spectrum
The report revealed that 57% of Labour voters supported increased spending on benefits for disabled people unable to work, with just 5% favouring cuts. It also highlighted that "even a Conservative or Reform Government would face very weak support for spending less on benefits for disabled people who cannot work" (7% and 11% respectively).
The authors stated: "Any attempted cuts to PIP would also be made in the context of widespread, cross-party support for extra-cost benefits for disabled people with impairments that affect their daily living." They warned that public perceptions "crucially depend on which disabled people are in the public's mind", citing earlier research suggesting some types of disabled people are seen as "deserving".
Review and rising costs
The review, headed by work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms, was unveiled last year following a Labour backbench revolt over plans under Sir Keir Starmer to restrict eligibility for personal independence payment (PIP). The interim report, released in July, concluded the system designed in 2013 is "no longer fit for purpose". Sir Stephen said the benefits system requires "fundamental change" and must be made "financially sustainable".
Separate DWP statistics from June showed PIP claimants in England and Wales exceeded four million for the first time, roughly doubling since 2019. Expenditure rose from £16.3 billion in 2019/20 to £27.3 billion by 2024/25, and is projected to climb to £41.5 billion by 2030/31.
Dr Robert de Vries, senior lecturer in quantitative sociology at the University of Kent and BSA co-author, said: "Despite growing political divisions on welfare, support for disability benefits remains remarkably strong. Very few people favour cuts, disabled people are seen as among the most deserving recipients of support, and proposals to reduce disability benefits appear politically risky across the political spectrum."
James Taylor, from disability equality charity Scope, said the survey "sends a clear message: the public do not support balancing the books on the backs of disabled people". He added: "Ministers must truly listen to disabled people before making any changes to disability benefits and build a system around their lives."
A Government spokesperson commented: "We inherited a system of rising costs and poor outcomes for too many people, which we are rectifying by extending award review periods, increasing face-to-face assessments, and helping sick or disabled people into jobs backed by £3.5 billion by the end of the Parliament. The final recommendations from the Timms and Milburn Reviews due this autumn will lay the foundation for sustainable long-term reform."
