11,340 people at risk of losing vital PIP support in Sunderland due to Labour's cuts
Over 11,000 people in Sunderland are at risk of losing vital Personal Independence Payment support, but none of the city's MPs have signed up to a rebel amendment seeking to block the Government's changes to disability benefits.
11,340 Personal Independent Payment (PIP) claimants in parliamentary constituencies covering the city of Sunderland could lose their essential support, according to figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrat through a Parliamentary question.
In Sunderland Central 3,610 people in receipt of PIP could lose out, in Houghton and Sunderland South it is 4,230 and in Washington and Gateshead South the figure is 3,500.
The figures have been released ahead of legislation to implement changes coming before MPs next week. Despite over 11,000 residents being disadvantaged by the changes, neither Lewis Atkinson MP (Sunderland Central), Sharon Hodgson MP (Washington & Gateshead South) or Bridget Phillipson MP (Houghton & Sunderland South) are among the 100 MPs that have signed up to a Labour amendment seeking to block the changes.
City councillors are also due to debate the changes on Wednesday 25 June. Opposition Liberal Democrats have called the debate and vote asking all councillors and the city’s MPs to ask the Chancellor and Prime Minister to think again on withdrawing vital support for the vulnerable and disabled people.
From November 2026, changes introduced by the Labour Government will mean claimants must score at least four points in one daily living activity to qualify for support, activities that include basic daily needs like washing, dressing, and preparing food. Those who don’t meet this new threshold risk losing the “daily living” component entirely, and in some cases, their PIP payments altogether.
Across the country, the move could hit up to 1.3 million people currently receiving standard or enhanced-rate support for daily living.
In response to a Parliamentary Question from the Liberal Democrats, the Government admitted that 87% of standard-rate and 13% of enhanced-rate claimants could lose support under the new rules.
Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to listen and change course on their proposed changes to PIP. The changes could also see tens of thousands of unpaid carers at risk of losing their Carers Allowance, making it even harder to balance their work and caring responsibilities.
Commenting, Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition on Sunderland City Council Paul Edgeworth said:
“This is yet another betrayal by the Labour Government and will be devastating for many vulnerable people on Wearside. Countless people rely on this support to stay in work and just go about their daily lives. To strip that away from them is senseless.
“Instead of standing up for people who need help just to get by, Labour are slashing vital support and pushing the most vulnerable to the brink. To add insult to injury it looks like none of the city's MPs have the backbone to join rebel Labour MPs who are calling for the changes to be axed.
“Cutting support for people with disabilities instead of asking the big banks and social media giants to pay their fair share of tax is a political choice, and both Labour and Reform are backing it.
“The Liberal Democrats will fight these callous plans every step of the way – and are urging councillors from all parties to do the same when we debate and vote on this at this week’s Council meeting.”
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