Tue, 29 Apr 2025

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 More people worrying at benefit changes say centre

A support centre says people are coming in "petrified" about planned benefit changes.

* Staff at a support centre for vulnerable people in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, report an increase in concerned visitors due to changes to the benefits system.
* The Hub, which launched in June, offers volunteers to help with issues like benefits, housing, and debt advice.
* Changes to the benefits system include stricter tests for personal independence payments (PIP) and halving of incapacity benefits under universal credit for new claimants.
* Staff at The Hub report seeing "a lot of people coming in who are struggling" due to the changes.
* Regulars at the hub, including 64-year-old Les Mifflin, express concerns about potential cuts to their PIP payments and the migration to universal credit.
* The hub has had 5,000 visits since opening with a list of regulars rising from 220 to 280.
* Ministers aim to save £4.8bn by reducing the benefits bill through reforms which could affect 3.2 million families.
* A DWP spokesperson says protecting people in need is a "principle we will never compromise on".
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