Sheffield Green councillor say Reform’s proposed benefits changes are ‘cruel cut’ that will damage economy
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Sheffield Green Party councillor Maleiki Haybe criticised Reform UK’s proposed welfare overhaul, focusing on plans that would replace Personal Independence Payment (PIP) with a more restrictive system and seek substantial reductions in welfare spending. Haybe, who chairs Sheffield City Council’s Adult Health and Social Care Committee, said PIP helps people meet disability-related costs including transport, cleaning, gardening and personal support. He described the proposal as a “cruel cut” and urged Sheffield’s Reform councillors to ask party leader Nigel Farage to abandon it.
Haybe argued that the consequences would extend beyond individual claimants. He said 45,688 people in Sheffield receive PIP, including 13,715 aged 60 or over, and that spending from the benefit supports local providers, workers and businesses. In his view, reducing this income would therefore remove money from circulation in the city’s economy. Reform has said its policy would protect people with severe disabilities, introduce revised health-security support for others unable to work, require some long-term able-bodied claimants to undertake community work, and use savings to reduce taxes; the party’s claims and projected savings remain policy proposals rather than implemented measures.
- Green councillor Maleiki Haybe condemned Reform’s proposed changes to disability benefits.
- He said PIP spending supports both disabled residents and Sheffield’s local economy.
- Reform says severe disabilities would remain protected under a reformed support system.
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK benefit for people whose disability or long-term health condition means they face extra costs in daily life. It can help with expenses such as transport, personal support and household tasks, and is separate from support based on whether someone can work.
Reform UK has proposed replacing PIP with a more restrictive system as part of plans to reduce welfare spending. The party says people with severe disabilities would be protected and that other support would be available for some people unable to work; these are proposals, not changes already in force.
The debate involves Sheffield Green councillor Maleiki Haybe, who chairs the city council committee responsible for adult health and social care, and Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage. Haybe says benefit payments also support local workers and businesses, so changes could affect the wider city economy as well as recipients.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Reform UK's welfare changes are motivated by concerns about long-term system sustainability and the importance of maintaining work incentives for those capable of employment. The party argues that whilst protecting those with severe disabilities, a more targeted approach combined with community work requirements could help people regain independence whilst achieving fiscal discipline that allows tax cuts benefiting workers and families. This reflects a genuine belief that welfare should balance compassion with responsibility and encourage contribution to society.
The case against
PIP provides essential support for disabled people to afford necessary costs including transport, care and personal support that enable participation in daily life and work. Reducing this income removes significant purchasing power from Sheffield's local economy, affecting service providers and workers who depend on that spending, whilst the proposal risks immediate and substantial hardship for vulnerable people in pursuit of savings when those costs are often non-negotiable necessities.