Most Conservative and Reform supporters oppose cuts to disability payments, BSA survey finds

A British Social Attitudes survey shows little public appetite for reducing disability benefits: just 7% backed cuts while 49% said spending on personal independence payments should be increased, with opposition extending to many voters for Conservative and Reform parties.

Survey findings

A new British Social Attitudes (BSA) report finds minimal public support for cuts to disability benefits, despite a broader decline in backing for welfare spending in recent years. Only 7% of respondents said disability payments should be reduced, while 49% called for an increase in spending on personal independence payments (PIP).

The survey also indicates that resistance to reducing disability support is not confined to traditionally left-leaning voters. There was little appetite for cuts even among people who said they supported the Conservative and Reform parties, suggesting cross-party sensitivity on the issue.

Political implications

Researchers and commentators say the results could make proposals to pare back disability spending politically risky for parties considering austerity measures. With a clear plurality favouring higher PIP spending, any move to shrink those benefits is likely to attract significant public scrutiny and opposition.

Context

The BSA report frames the findings against a backdrop of shifting public attitudes to welfare overall: while support for welfare spending has fallen sharply in recent years, disability benefits appear to retain distinct public sympathy. The survey underscores that attitudes toward different elements of the benefits system can vary widely and that disability support in particular commands substantial backing.

Policy makers weighing reforms to the social security system will confront these public views, which suggest that proposals targeting disability benefits could face resistance from a broad section of the electorate.