Majority of Tory and Reform voters do not back cuts to disability benefits, survey finds

The British Social Attitudes survey delivers a stark political warning to both the Conservative Party and Reform UK. Voters across the political spectrum, including their own supporters, strongly oppose cuts to disability benefits. This finding arrives as welfare reform remains a contested issue in Westminster, with policymakers navigating public opinion that resists the austerity approach some politicians favor.

Only 7% of survey respondents backed reductions to disability benefits. By contrast, nearly half of all respondents said spending on personal independence payments should increase. This represents a dramatic gap between public appetite for welfare cuts and the political rhetoric sometimes heard in Conservative and Reform circles.

The survey holds particular weight because the British Social Attitudes report stands as one of Britain's most authoritative measures of public opinion. Conducted annually since 1983, it provides longitudinal data on how voter attitudes shift over time. The findings reflect a consistent pattern: while general support for welfare spending has declined in recent years, disability benefits occupy protected territory in the public mind.

The political stakes for Rishi Sunak's Conservative government and Nigel Farage's Reform movement prove substantial. Both parties have attempted to position themselves as tough on welfare spending. Reform UK has campaigned on reducing what it characterizes as excessive handouts. The Conservative government has faced pressure from its right wing to cut welfare costs. Yet this survey suggests that pursuing disability benefit cuts could backfire electorally.

Tory voters and Reform supporters show the same resistance to cuts as Labour voters. Among Conservative and Reform supporters specifically, majorities reject the idea of reducing disability spending. This reveals a cross-party consensus that disability benefits differ fundamentally from other welfare categories in public perception. Voters distinguish between unemployment benefits, which face broader skepticism, and support for people with disabilities, which commands broad backing.

The personal independence payment system itself remains central to this debate. PIP replaced disability living allowance in 2013 and has faced repeated criticism for its assessment process and the number of successful appeals against initial rejections. The government recently commissioned reviews of PIP, and disability advocates have warned that tightening eligibility or reducing payments could push vulnerable people into poverty.

For policymakers considering welfare reform, the survey data suggests that disability benefits represent a political third rail. Cutting them carries risks that may outweigh fiscal savings. The public views disability support as fundamentally different from other welfare spending. This reflects both compassion toward disabled people and pragmatic recognition that disability can strike anyone.

The timing of this survey matters. With inflation and economic uncertainty affecting household budgets, the government faces pressure to control public spending. Yet the data shows voters would rather see cuts elsewhere than touch disability payments. The disconnect between what some politicians want to do and what voters support creates friction in the policy-making process.

Both major parties face electoral incentives to respect this public sentiment. Labour currently leads in polls, and taking a pro-disability benefits stance offers clear political advantage. The Conservatives risk alienating voters if they pursue cuts, particularly as the party struggles with approval ratings. Reform UK, seeking to establish itself as a serious electoral force, must consider whether controversial welfare cuts align with broader public values or represent a liability heading into any general election.