SRUK’s response to the Government’s Spring Statement

By Sue Farrington, Chief Executive of Scleroderma and Raynaud's UK (SRUK)

The Government’s recent Spring Statement felt like an incredible blow for our community, some of whom rely on disability benefits and other forms of financial relief to get by. Whilst SRUK recognises the challenging situation facing the chancellor, the decisions made will seriously impact people’s lives up and down the country, particularly for people who are living with Scleroderma and Raynaud’s.  

The DWP believes that 250,000 more people will face relative poverty and 800,000 people will lose PIP (Personal Independents Payments) after Rachel Reeves’ benefits cuts. These are stark numbers based on meeting the Government’s own self-imposed spending rules and there will be members of our community who are gravely affected by these decisions.  

If members of our SRUK community claim PIP and do not qualify when the criteria are tightened, then they may be hardest hit. The health element of universal credit, which is paid if a person’s ability to work is reduced, will be halved for new claimants, and will now be frozen thereafter. Existing claimants will have their entitlement frozen until 2029-30. 

Consequences of welfare cuts for people living with scleroderma  

We know that a high proportion of people with scleroderma, in particular, have symptoms that may affect their ability to work, or they might have to reduce their working hours. Benefits can help some people stay in work longer and are an important source of support for them to be able to live independently.   

Rising bills on the horizon are a double blow for our members 

The welfare cuts are topped off by households due to be hit next week by rises in energy, water and council tax bills. Those with temperature-sensitive health conditions like Raynaud’s will be left between a rock and a hard place. With yet another increase in energy prices, many individuals with this condition will be forced to make the difficult decision of either living in pain, or paying high energy bills that they may struggle to afford. It's a decision that no one should have to make.  

Affordable heating is essential for people living with Raynaud's to help manage the condition and prevent painful attacks. We urge the Government to take proactive steps to support them, such as extending the Energy Price Guarantee to include people with Raynaud's and adding the condition as a criterion for the annual Warm Homes Discount.  

We asked Avtar Gill about his views on the news. Avtar, who lives with Scleroderma and Raynaud’s told us: 

“I have standard rate PIP for both components, but I had to jump through hoops to get it. I feel angry just talking about this. I am furious as to why they are picking on the easiest people. You have to produce all the hospital letters, it’s not the easier thing to get. Why don’t they contact the consultants who are diagnosing these conditions and ask them? Surely that would be a way of alleviating knowing who to award it to. But it is the patient who has to prove it. I am due a review in October, and I’m already worried about it.   

When you need help and it’s not forthcoming, it feels almost like daylight robbery. It’s a drawn-out process, and even when you get there, it can feel as if they don’t want to give you what you are entitled to. The politicians have a hard job to do, but to hit the most vulnerable, it just doesn’t compute in my mind.” 

We hope the Government carefully considers the consequences for people living with rare autoimmune conditions who simply don't always have the comfort of accessibility to the right support. The news this month will punish our community in more ways than one.