At Lovewell, we see first-hand the strength and determination of women rebuilding their lives after facing significant challenges. They work tirelessly to overcome barriers and re-enter the workforce, despite having been let down or harmed by others. For these women, welfare reforms must empower them to move forward, not place new hurdles in their path.
We are deeply concerned about aspects of the government’s proposed welfare reforms, which risk leaving many of the people we support without the safety net they need to rebuild their lives. The scrapping of the Work Capability Assessment, for example, would mean that eligibility for Universal Credit is limited to those receiving the Daily Living award in Personal Independence Payment (PIP). This change could disproportionately impact people with temporary or fluctuating conditions, those whose ability to work is severely affected but who do not qualify for PIP.
The recent proposals to the welfare system risk placing unnecessary hurdles in their way. Instead of being supported as they strive for stability and employment, these changes threaten to derail their progress, forcing many into further insecurity. For survivors of trauma, whose recovery is often non-linear, these proposals could pull the rug out from under them when they are most vulnerable. Cutting financial support or reducing eligibility risks destabilizing their progress, forcing them to focus on mere survival rather than recovery and reintegration into the workforce.
Our Key Concerns
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Creating New Hurdles
Stricter eligibility rules and reduced support fail to consider the realities of those facing complex challenges such as trauma recovery, caring responsibilities, and societal barriers.
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Undermining Progress
Many women use the welfare system as a stepping stone, enabling them to access training, childcare, or other resources essential for entering the job market. Cutting this support could undo the hard-earned progress they’ve made.
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Impacting Families
As primary caregivers, many women supported by Lovewell are raising children who depend on the security provided by welfare. Reducing access to this safety net risks pushing families into poverty and undermining their future prospects.
A Safe Transition
The women we support are often living in precarious circumstances. Many lack savings or developed support networks to rely on, and sudden changes to benefits could push them into crisis. Without clear, compassionate planning for transitions between benefits, these changes could leave many people falling through the cracks. We call on the government to explain how it will manage these transitions to ensure no one is left without the support they need.
Reforms That Help, Not Hinder
We do acknowledge the potential in some aspects of the reforms. For example, increasing the number face-to-face assessments could help ensure that people’s needs are properly identified, if implemented thoughtfully and with sufficient capacity. Similarly, the £1 billion ‘Pathways to Work’ initiative, offering employment, health, and skills support, could make a real difference if tailored to the lived realities of those facing multiple barriers to work.
However, these positive steps risk being undermined if the overall system is stripped of the flexibility and compassion needed to reflect the complexities of people’s lives. Welfare reforms should empower individuals, not punish them for circumstances beyond their control.
Our Commitment
The women we support have already shown extraordinary resilience in overcoming the barriers others placed in their way. They do not need more obstacles. We urge the government to rethink elements of these proposals, consult with frontline organisations, and design a welfare system that truly enables people to move forward with dignity and stability.
From our work at Lovewell, we know that investing in people, rather than penalising isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. From our experience, when they are given the support and opportunities they need, they flourish, becoming active contributors to their communities.
We remain steadfast in our dedication to empowering women to overcome barriers and achieve independence. We call on policymakers to collaborate with organisations like ours to create a welfare system that supports, rather than hinders, those who are working to change their lives for the better.
