Liberal Democrats Challenge Southwark Labour over ‘Betrayal’ of 6,000 Disabled Residents

More than 6,313 Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants in Southwark could lose their essential support, according to figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats through a Parliamentary Question.

The Southwark Liberal Democrats have submitted a motion to July’s full council meeting which, if successful, would require the new council leader to demand that the Government changes course.

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.

Analysis from the think tank Policy in Practice had previously revealed that the broader package of reforms could see as many as 15,000 households in Southwark lose out on vital welfare support, with a total hit to the borough of £33 million.

In March, Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Victor Chamberlain, used a member’s question to urge Southwark Labour to join disability charities and campaigners in rejecting these changes, but the Labour leader refused to do so. 

Cllr Victor Chamberlain, Southwark Liberal Democrat Group Leader, who is putting forward the motion, said:

“This is yet another betrayal by the Labour Government and will be devastating for many vulnerable people in Southwark. Personal Independence Payment is a lifeline for thousands in Southwark, helping people with disabilities to live independently, maintain dignity, and stay in work. Labour’s decision to slash this support is not only cruel, it’s a betrayal of the very values they claim to stand for.

Stripping away vital support from those who need it most, instead of asking the big banks and social media giants to pay their fair share of tax is a political choice. And it’s one that hurts and is pushing the most vulnerable to the brink.

Southwark Labour councillors must decide whose side they’re on. This is their last chance to stand up to their government and defend the people they were elected to represent. The Liberal Democrats will fight these callous cuts every step of the way.”