The United Nations is calling for the UK Government to stop the Universal Credit (PIP) Bill because it will “deepen the signs of regression” in disabled people’s human rights.

Despite recent Government concessions, aimed at subduing the biggest backbench rebellion Keir Starmer’s Cabinet has so far faced, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has serious concerns it highlights in its most recent statement on the Bill.

These include:

· the Bill’s lack of full impact assessments.

· the impact on women, younger people, and global majority people.

· the risk of increasing the poverty rate.

· the inadequacy of the public consultation around the  Bill.

· the lack of involvement of deaf and disabled people’s organisations.

· the lack of a limited scrutiny because of its designation as a money bill.

· public statements by politicians and authorities portraying disabled people as fraudulent or burdens on society including debates around the Terminally Ill Adults Bill.

· the extension of financial surveillance and policing powers in the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill.

Activists are particularly concerned about the designation of the Bill as a Money Bill. If the Bill is, as expected, certified as a Money Bill tomorrow, when it returns to the House of Commons, this would likely be the last opportunity for amendments to be made to the Bill before it becomes law. This would further limit the opportunity for it to be informed by the expertise, voices and experience of the disabled people it will impact.

The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will examine the issue during its thirty-third session, to be held in Geneva, from 11th to 26th August 2025.

Ahead of that, tomorrow, Wednesday 9th July, disabled people will be going to Westminster to tell their MPs to vote Against the Universal Credit Bill.