We’ve joined 41 other charities in urging the Government to give disabled young people support and opportunities, not sanctions 

Today, along with 41 other charities, we have published a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and government advisor Alan Milburn calling on the UK Government to reject benefit cuts and harsher conditions for disabled young people during benefit changes expected later this year. 

The letter, coordinated by Action for Children, supports the Government’s ambition to tackle the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) and ensure more disabled young people can access support and opportunities.  

Research led by our Policy and Public affairs team showed that the families we spoke with unanimously agreed that increasing sanctions or cutting benefits for under-25s receiving the Universal Credit (UC) health element would negatively impact disabled young adults. 

“It is vital that disabled young people are supported and enabled to fulfil their potential. Without this support, they face long lasting hardship and unnecessary pressure at an already difficult time.” 

Helen Gravestock, Director of External Affairs at Family Fund 

Below you can read the letter we co-signed along with Action for Children, Scope, Contact, Mind, Shelter, Muscular Dystrophy UK, Carers Trust, Disabled Children’s Partnership, Sense and around 32 other charities.