Lords raise our concerns about Universal Credit Bill

In July, we worked with other charities and campaigners to expose the consequences of the government’s bill to cut £5.5bn from disability benefits.

The rushed Universal Credit Bill had its final stage in parliament on 22 July.

Parliamentarians, this time peers in the House of Lords, debated what remained of the proposed legislation, which began as the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.

Victory for campaigners

MPs heavily criticised the original bill in the Commons. Everything related to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cuts had to be removed.

This incredible win by campaigners showed the power of the Parkinson’s community. Our community and other activists came together to advocate for the rights of people living with disabilities.

House of Lords debates the bill

During this latest stage, peers, including Baroness Bennett and Baroness Lister, raised our concern that people with Parkinson’s and other fluctuating conditions will be denied support. Specifically those who apply for the higher rate health element of Universal Credit from April 2026.

They argued that the changed eligibility criteria require a constant impact of symptoms. They don't include symptoms that fluctuate, as they do in Parkinson's.

The government gave assurances again that people with Parkinson’s would not be affected. But we've received legal opinion from 2 separate experts that the bill's wording is problematic. It could mean people with Parkinson’s and other fluctuating conditions might still miss out on vital payments.

Our next steps

We’ll monitor the situation closely once the new rules are applied and raise any issues directly with the government.

We won’t stop campaigning on these issues. We’ll continue working with the community to urge the government to provide proper financial support, accurate assessments and a fairer welfare system.

Thank you

Thank you to the Parkinson's campaigners who wrote to and met their MPs. Together, we forced the government to remove the PIP cuts from the bill and secured assurances on issues with UC.

There is still work to do. But for now, well done. Thank you to everyone who took action. This is a huge collective victory!