Disability benefit cuts could have ‘maximum impact’ in these five areas

With the government's controversial Personal Independence Payments reforms currently on hold, experts are examining which regions stand to lose most from DWP reductions nationwide. A new study has used local authority figures to pinpoint the areas that would bear the brunt of any disability benefit reductions.

Blackpool topped the rankings in the latest State of Mobility Issues study by mobility furniture specialists Opera Beds. The analysis revealed that almost one in five working-age residents in this locality depends on health-related support.

The seaside town records elevated levels of hip fractures, blue badge usage and smoking rates when measured against national averages, earning it a mobility crisis rating of 9.02 out of 10.

Blackpool also ranks as England's third most income-deprived location based on ONS figures. Experts highlighted how this diminished earning power frequently worsens health complications.

The study concluded: "Cuts to sickness and disability payments could hit Blackpool harder than anywhere else, removing vital support from people already struggling with poor health and limited mobility."

Following closely is Knowsley, a north-western village boasting the nation's second-steepest hip fracture figures and where 71% of residents are either overweight or obese. Nearly a sixth of working-age locals here depend on health-related financial assistance.

The report highlighted: "While the area faces a mobility crisis, the Knowsley Council falls prevention scheme offers assistance and home-based assessments for those over 55 at risk of fractures or falls. This scheme demonstrates a commitment to improving the situation and aims to increase confidence and mobility among the most affected."

South Tyneside was also identified as facing "maximum impact" from potential disability benefit reductions, with 14.3% of working-age residents relying on health-related benefits.

The coastal borough experiences elevated levels of chronic illness and disability, resulting in significant state dependency among locals. The study cautioned that this region already struggles with overstretched local services, warning that slashing disability budgets could eliminate the final lifelines for vulnerable disabled residents. It emphasised that people might find themselves without hospital transport or vital home equipment.

Hartlepool shows comparable benefit claim figures to Blackpool at approximately 17%, yet the seaside town records a considerably lower mobility crisis rating of 7.48. But, locals there would still encounter "maximum impact" from potential disability benefit reductions, the report stated.

Completing the roster of towns confronting "maximum impact" from possible disability benefit cuts is Barnsley. The South Yorkshire town registers a 7.61 mobility crisis rating, with 15.2% of working-age inhabitants claiming disability-related benefits.

The study scrutinised local authority data, comparing the number of benefit claimants, blue badge holders and individuals with specific conditions in various areas to calculate a mobility crisis score. This took into account the number of people afflicted with obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, type 2 diabetes, hip fractures and premature deaths from heart disease under 75 years old.