In many communities across the UK, benefits serve as a vital lifeline for individuals who are unable to work due to health conditions, disabilities, or economic inactivity. In areas like Ashfield, where a proud mining heritage once defined the local economy, almost a third of working-age people are now economically inactive. As the government considers welfare reform, the impact on these individuals is becoming a growing concern.
For young people, the struggle to find employment is significant. In Nottinghamshire, many are part of the UK’s nearly one million NEETs (not in employment, education, or training). Holly, a 17-year-old with autism, ADHD, and a long-term illness, depends on Personal Independence Payments (PIP) to manage her daily life. She explains how PIP helps her afford transport, particularly Uber rides, as she struggles with buses and trains due to anxiety and sensory issues. With potential cuts to PIP eligibility, she fears losing this crucial support, which she describes as something she “practically lives off.” Without PIP, she would be unable to travel independently, severely limiting her ability to socialise, attend medical appointments, or seek work opportunities.
Holly is eager to work but is apprehensive about how her conditions will affect her ability to hold down a full-time job. She has had to drop out of college due to excessive absences caused by illness. “I do want to work,” she insists, “but I don’t know if I could work full-time, and because I’m off sick a lot, I just don’t know if I’d be able to hold a job.” She is currently seeking a fit note from her doctor, which could entitle her to higher benefits but paradoxically discourage her from seeking employment. “If you have a fit note, then it tells you that you cannot work ever – you shouldn’t be looking for a job – which I think is wrong,” she says. This dilemma highlights a key issue within the welfare system: individuals who are signed off as unfit for work often find it challenging to transition back into employment without risking financial hardship.
Mental health is another significant barrier preventing young people from entering the workforce. Pippa Carter, director of the Inspire and Achieve Foundation, notes that many young people struggle with confidence and social skills, issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “They’re just not really able to get out of their rooms. They haven’t got that social confidence,” she explains. Many have developed social anxiety from prolonged isolation during lockdowns, making it even harder for them to engage in job searches or interviews. She further points out that once young people are signed off as unfit for work, they often feel trapped by the system. “If they are signed off sick, for example, with their struggling mental health, they’re then stopped from trying to get employment and take steps forward.”
The challenge extends beyond the younger generation. Older individuals, like 59-year-old former care assistant Allison, also face financial difficulties. Signed off work 15 years ago due to multiple health conditions, she relies on PIP to survive. Recently, she has had to turn to a food bank for the first time, describing the experience as “so degrading.” She recalls working long hours caring for elderly patients in care homes, but a severe back injury and a series of health complications forced her to stop. Now, she struggles to afford basic necessities. “We did use a food bank the other day for the first time. I never thought I’d be in this situation,” she says. If cuts to benefits go ahead, she fears she will have no choice but to rely on food banks regularly.
For those with long-term disabilities or illnesses, benefits are often the only means of financial stability. Many recipients feel they are unfairly judged for needing assistance. “People assume we don’t want to work, but that’s not true,” says James, a 42-year-old former factory worker who developed a debilitating neurological condition. “I worked for 20 years before my health deteriorated. Now, even standing for more than a few minutes is painful, and I constantly feel like I have to justify why I’m on benefits.” James has applied for jobs he believes he can manage, such as remote work, but employers are often hesitant to accommodate his condition.
While some advocate for reforms that encourage employment and provide more support for job-seekers, others worry that cuts to health-related benefits will push the most vulnerable deeper into poverty. Many believe the current welfare system lacks flexibility, making it difficult for those with fluctuating health conditions to transition in and out of work without financial penalty. A more balanced approach, one that acknowledges the complexities of health, disability, and economic barriers, could better serve those in need while enabling more people to seek employment when possible. Until such reforms are in place, benefits will remain a crucial necessity for many across the country.
We Need A Benefit System That Caters For Individuals, Not Political Ideologies
One of the biggest issues with the current benefits system is that it often seems to be shaped by political agendas rather than the real needs of individuals. Successive governments have introduced policies aimed at cutting costs rather than ensuring that those who need support receive it in a fair and effective way.
The experience of people like Holly, Allison, and James demonstrates that the welfare system is not a one-size-fits-all model. People’s needs vary significantly based on their health, personal circumstances, and local economic conditions. A system designed with greater flexibility would ensure that individuals are not forced to choose between financial security and seeking employment, and that those who are unable to work due to illness or disability are supported with dignity.
A compassionate and practical welfare system should encourage independence where possible while ensuring that vulnerable people are not left behind. The focus should not be on simply reducing welfare spending, but on creating a system that enables people to live without unnecessary hardship. Political ideology should never take precedence over human needs. To that end, it is also vital that work itself is attractive and not stale and repetitive. Going to work should not create anxiety. It should be a place where being productive includes a level of satisfaction and, dare I say, pleasure. It should not be just a means to an end but also an end in itself.
Thus, revolutionising the welfare system and the workplace should be our raison d’être. Anything less is failure.
