Letters: The Autumn Budget means attacks on disabled people

Labour’s new budget will separate communities (Photo: Guy Smallman)

Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget has further confirmed the capitulation to Reform UK’s myths about disabled people.

These are now at the heart of the Labour Party’s agenda.

Within the budget, the phrase used to justify changes to Universal Credit was to prevent it going to those who are “­undeserving”. They say this is so it doesn’t “pay to be sick”.

But nobody who has worked professionally, or has experience of disability, would suggest that people off long term sick are living in the lap of luxury.

The Access to Work scheme, which funds specialist equipment and adaptations for businesses to help people work, has an outstanding backlog. This exceeds 60,000 applications, as of February 2025.

And delayed payments to businesses for adaptations is deepening the systemic
hurdles to ­recruiting ­disabled people.

Some applicants have waited over 254 days for the equipment they need to return to the workplace.

Those who are unable to work due to health conditions are facing a backlog in excess of 1 million people for mental health ­services.

This is added to by a ­reduction in outpatient ­services overall and a crisis in ­accessing GPs.

Reform UK’s Richard Tice and Nigel Farage push myths around people being off work with what they consider “minor” health issues, such as anxiety and ADHD.

But, when untreated and unsupported, these conditions can move from manageable to debilitating.

The changes to the Motability Scheme, which supports disabled people in getting transportation, mean even more disabled people will be losing vital access to their community.

This will put their ­wellbeing at risk and further reduce the likelihood of many ­disabled people from ever f­inding work.

Communities will be ­further separated from ­disabled and carer members.

Euan Mitchell, Glasgow

Stop racist ­attacks on schools

In Scotland, the far right has been targeting schools.

At least three schools have been targeted by far right figures who are attempting to spread misinformation.

In Renfrew, an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course was cancelled.

In Dalmarnock, in Glasgow, parents—whipped up by far right misinformation—protested outside a primary school. ESOL classes there were for mums whose children attend the school.

A school in Inverness had to cancel a play following threats. The play had a scene where Santa encouraged children to understand hardships faced by Syrian refugees.

But the attacks are not isolated. Classroom-based adult education spending has reduced by two-thirds since 2003-04.

At the same time, Keir Starmer plans tougher language requirements for those applying to extend their visa or settle in Britain.

We have to condemn the attacks for what they are—racism and threats to education.

Alex Mayers, Glasgow

Abortion rights are on the line internationally

Donald Trump has designated NHS abortions as a human rights violation.

Gender‑affirming care for children, laws against hate speech and the “facilitation of mass migration” have also been categorised as such.

United States secretary of state Marco Rubio claimed it is to refocus on “natural rights” that have been “given to us by God”.
Religious framing is an excuse to roll-back women’s rights, like the Republican’s achieved by overturning Roe v Wade in 2022.

We have already seen an increase in this rhetoric in Britain.

More women are being prosecuted for abortions, whilst US anti-abortion groups are campaigning here.

This report gives far right figures like Tommy Robinson and Nick Tenconi ammunition to attack women’s bodily autonomy.

It is imperative we fight back against Trump, Nigel Farage and anyone who wants to control what women can do with their bodies.

Emily Poole, east London

Orwell ­hijack defies belief

The hijacking of left wing author George Orwell has reached new levels.

The Orwell Foundation was set up “to promote Orwell’s values of bravery, integrity, decency and fidelity to truth”.

But now it has installed veteran right winger Michael Gove to its homelessness committee.

This is so obscene it really defies belief.

Gove was a senior member of Tory governments that increased homelessness.

Poor George would be spitting blood.

John Newsinger, Brighton