A protest is set to be held in Southampton against Government cuts that are set to affect hundreds in Southampton.
On Saturday, May 10, activists in Southampton will be rallying at Guildhall Square at 1pm to protest the proposed review of how disabled people access work exemption benefits.
If the government go ahead with the cuts, 1.2 million people are set to negatively be affected – with disabled people in Southampton and Hampshire set to feel the impact.
A spokesperson for Hampshire Crips Against Cuts, grassroots, disabled-led pressure group organising the protest, said: “We know that disabled people in work spend more than £1000 a month compared to those who are not disabled.
“That could be due to transport costs – needing specialised taxis for wheelchairs that often cost more, paying for wheelchairs during events and even increased heating needed for working from home.
“These cuts are going to take away benefits for some who are desperate for that added financial support.”
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Hampshire crips Against Cuts added that disability charity, Scope, has already found through its analysis that disabled households need an additional £1,010 a month to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households, due to the higher costs of living with a disability.
This has led the charity to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to express opposition to the proposed cuts while urging the Government to reconsider the proposals contained within the green paper that was published on the March 18, 2025.
The spokesperson for Hampshire Crips Against Cuts added: “These cuts are nonsensical - the government is looking to cut in-work benefits while making it harder to get support.
“Instead of getting more people to work, this will instead punish those unable to work and fail to improve access to workplaces.
“These proposals will plunge people into further poverty, exacerbate a growing mental health crisis, and worsen inequality, inaccessibility and a lack of support for disabled people in this country.
“We call on everyone who cares about a fair, just and equitable system of welfare to join us in Southampton on Saturday.”
DWP Minister Liz Kendall, has previously said these cuts are being carried out due to the benefit system supposedly being "too lenient" - with MPs set to vote on the cuts next month.
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