The Government has voted on its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. Our response is included below.

Tim Nicholls, Assistant Director of Policy, Research and Strategy at the National Autistic Society, said: “Thousands of disabled people fought tirelessly for these last-minute concessions from the Government and we thank every single one of them. But it shouldn’t have taken this much pressure to get the Government to listen. The constant uncertainty has caused serious distress and fear to many.

"There is still a long way to go. We're deeply worried about cuts to the health component of Universal Credit that are still in the Government's bill, and whether the ‘severe conditions criteria’ risks excluding autistic people. This process has shown that welfare reform isn't possible without proper co-production, so the review of the PIP Assessment must consult and listen to disabled people properly.

"We stand alongside disabled people, including autistic people, to keep campaigning for the benefits and support they need.”

Further information 

Read our response to the Government’s U-turn on cuts to disability benefits.

Read our news story on the Government’s welfare proposals.