Jewish charities accuse Starmer of creating ‘two-tier system’ following U-turn on welfare reforms

Care charities serving the Jewish community have accused the government of creating a “two-tier system” within the sector following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s U-turn on personal independence payment (PIP).

The government’s change of heart over the Welfare Reform Bill will mean that recipients of Personal Independent Payment  – an allowance specifically for individuals aged 16 or over with a long-term health condition or disability that affects their daily living or mobility – will continue to receive what they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of universal credit.

However, future claimants will still be impacted by the planned cuts under the reforms.

Jewish care charities, despite welcoming the relief for current claimants, have warned that future claimants face an uncertain future, with the heads of three charities going so far as to accuse the government of creating a “two-tier system”.

Daniel Carmel-Brown, CEO of Jewish Care, the largest social care provider for the Jewish community in England, said that despite the government’s about-turn alleviating “the anxiety and fear of the people currently receiving these essential benefits, those going through assessment for those benefits in the future continue to face worrying uncertainty. We are disappointed with this seemingly arbitrary two-tier system.”

PIP, Carmel-Brown added, allowed recipients to maintain “independence, dignity, respect, and quality of life” while engaging in activities they would not otherwise be able to do.

Lisa Wimborne, chief executive of Jewish Blind & Disabled, said the government “may not have gone far enough” with their about-turn, and that the reforms risked “creating an unfair and unjust two-tier system in the future”.

PIP offered “vital” support for the extra costs that come with being blind or disabled, Wimborne said, allowing access to mobility aids, home adaptions and other assistive tech.

Paperweight, the Jewish community’s expert assistance and advice charity, said it remained “deeply concerned” about the impact the reforms would have on future claimants.

CEO Bayla Perrin said: “The proposed changes risk creating a two-tier system that could leave vulnerable individuals without the help they need. We urge the Government to reconsider any cuts that would compromise the wellbeing of those who may become unwell or disabled in the future. A compassionate and fair welfare system must protect everyone – now and in the years to come.”

Norwood, one of the UK’s largest Jewish charities supporting vulnerable children with learning disabilities and their families, said it too was “concerned about the impact of cuts on future generations of people with neurodevelopmental and other disabilities”.

Richard Franklin, chief executive of Kisharon Langdon, a learning disabilities and autism support charity, said the government’s treatment of the social care sector “completely fails to address longer-term inadequacies, inequalities, and discrimination towards people with learning disabilities and autistic people as well as their families. We urge the government to take on board the suggestions put to them by the community’s health and social care charities in meetings this week, before it’s too late.”

The Welfare Reform Bill cleared its Second Reading in the Commons on July 1 following significant concessions, including indefinite delays on stricter PIP criteria through to at least autumn 2026. MPs will continue reviewing amendments to the bill starting July 9, with a third reading expected later this month.

The Department for Work and Pensions has been approached for comment.