According to the data, Wales is the worst-impacted part of the UK.
Under the Government’s plans, from November 2026 people on PIP will be required to score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to receive support with everyday tasks such as washing and cooking. Those scoring less will lose access to the “daily living” component, which for some will result in a full withdrawal of the benefit.
Across Wales, every local authority currently sees at least 80% of those receiving the standard rate of PIP at risk of losing support, with over half of Welsh local authorities seeing 90% at risk.
The constituency with the highest number of those at risk of having support slashed is Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney with 92% of standard-rate of PIP claimants not scoring four points on all categories of the Government’s test.
The data from the Liberal Democrats follows a report released last week by the Bevan Foundation showing that the levels of poverty among affected households in Wales could increase dramatically as a result of the proposed welfare reforms.
Wales already has some of the highest poverty rates in Western Europe, and it is thought that poverty costs the Welsh Government billions of pounds a year through increased pressure on other public services.
The Liberal Democrats said that it “lays bare the scale of the damage” the cuts could do, adding to people’s worry and “increasing pressure on local areas where these cuts go the deepest”. The party called on the Government to recognise the cuts’ “devastating impact” and “change course”.
Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrats Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “These figures lay bare the scale of the damage that Labour’s cuts could do to some of society’s most vulnerable.
“Vast swathes of people in Wales could be missing out on vital support, not only adding to their suffering but increasing pressure on local areas where these cuts go the deepest.
“This is support that helps people with daily tasks that many of us would take for granted, such as staying clean or staying safe and also helps many people stay in work.
“The UK Government must recognise the devastating impact that these cuts could have and change course.”
Campaign group Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) are planning a protest against the cuts on Tuesday 3rd June in Cardiff at what is Wales’ only consultation event on the benefits changes.
The Swansea branch of DPAC say they have written to their MPs, demanding a public debate, and have asked Labour-affiliated trade unions to instruct the three Swansea Labour MPs to attend.
TSSA, a national Labour-affiliated trade union for workers in travel and transport, has supported Swansea DPAC’s demand for a fair debate with MPs.
Maryam Eslamdoust, General Secretary TSSA said: “The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) strongly opposes the government’s proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which will negatively affect millions of people across the UK, including many of our own working members.
“PIP is not an “out of work benefit” and frankly, that distinction shouldn’t matter. It is a vital form of support that helps disabled people and those with long-term health conditions live with dignity and independence. Many of our members claim PIP while continuing to work in demanding roles across the transport industry, relying on this support to manage the additional costs that come with their conditions and to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
“This government is deliberately misrepresenting PIP in an attempt to pit the public against disabled people and deflect from its own economic. Let us be clear: ordinary people should not be made to pay for the failures and mismanagement of those in power.
“TSSA stands firmly with all those affected by these proposals, and we will continue to fight for a fair and compassionate welfare system that supports people, not punishes them.”
Speaking on BBC’s Newsnight in March, Swansea West Labour MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Pensions, Torsten Bell said that despite the reforms “people with significant disabilities will be protected. They will. Not only will they be protected within the universal credit system, which is the one you’re mentioning, but they’ll also be able to apply for PIP.
“So people with significant disabilities, if they are young, if they’re currently receiving UC health, they will continue to receive it. And if they have significant disabilities, they will still be allowed to apply for PIP.”
BREAKING: As of a few hours ago the DWP have cancelled their CONsultaSHAM – the only one for the whole of Wales. We are protesting anyway on the 3rd outside Cardiff central train station at noon. DPAC will make the DWP and MPs listen to disabled people and we will defeat the disability cuts!