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Welfare Myth Exposed

Welfare Myth Exposed 

Tory Viscount Younger recently reiterated in The House of Lords, a claim regarding the financial situation of disabled people receiving disability welfare, when he stated that a disabled person receiving the health element of Universal Credit (UC), along with the average level of housing benefit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), "earns" £2,500 more annually than a worker on the national living wage. This assertion is based on research from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).

Conservative Viscount Younger

The Claim

The claim originates from research conducted by the CSJ, which suggests that people on certain "benefits" can have a higher income than those earning the national living wage. 

Specifically, their findings indicate that a non-working Universal Credit claimant receiving the average housing benefit and PIP could have an income of around £25,000, compared to approximately £22,500 for a full-time worker on the national living wage after taxes.

Context Is Important 

It is crucial to understand that PIP, and the Universal Credit (health component) are designed to assist with the extra costs associated with disabilities, rather than to serve as a direct income replacement. 

This context is often overlooked in discussions about the comparative earnings of benefit recipients versus wage earners. The framing of these benefits as "earnings" can mislead the public about the nature and purpose of these payments.

Implications of the Misleading Claim

Viscount Younger of Leckie's assertion is sparking debate about welfare dependency and the adequacy of support for disabled individuals. 

Critics, including various peers in the House of Lords, such as The Green Party's Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle have expressed concern that such statements can perpetuate negative stereotypes about disabled people and their reliance on state support. 

Green Party: Baroness Bennett 

They rightly argue that the focus should be on the necessity of these benefits for covering essential living costs rather than comparing them to wages.

The claim made by Viscount Younger reflects a broader and often negative narrative about welfare and disability benefits in the UK, emphasising the financial comparisons between benefit recipients and minimum wage workers. 

While the figures cited may be accurate in a strict numerical sense, the framing of these benefits as "earnings" obscures the reality of the financial challenges faced by disabled individuals. 

Harmful Framing

This harmful framing not only misrepresents the financial realities faced by disabled individuals but also underscores a broader issue: the national minimum wage is insufficient to provide a living income for workers. 

The race to the bottom in wage competition, where employers prioritise profits over fair compensation, perpetuates a cycle of poverty and reliance on welfare. 

As the national living wage increased to £12.21 in April 2025, we must make employers recognise their responsibility to pay fair wages that reflect the cost of living, rather than exploit the disparities in income between benefit recipients and low-wage workers. 

The situation calls for a reevaluation of wage policies to ensure that all workers, regardless of their circumstances, are compensated adequately for their work and then fostering a more equal society.

Imagine a future where a Green Party-led government transforms the landscape of support for disabled individuals and low-wage workers alike.

By prioritising a compassionate welfare system, the Greens would ensure that benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit are not just safety nets but pathways to dignity and independence. 

We could implement policies that guarantee fair wages for all workers, addressing the inadequacies of the national living wage, which currently leaves many struggling to make ends meet. 

Also, by investing heavily in public services, particularly the NHS, and raising taxes on the wealthiest, we would create a more equal society where the financial burdens of disability are acknowledged and alleviated. 

Our vision not only aims to end the stigma surrounding disability benefits but also fosters a society where every individual, regardless of their circumstances, can thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities.


Mark Webster 

Disability Officer 

The Green Party 

Telford and Wrekin 



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