Rishi Sunak's Government has been accused of "targeting" disabled people with steps to overhaul the disability benefit PIP.
The Prime Minister launched a consultation this week and said the Government must "do something" after the number of people claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) has risen in recent years.
Ministers said reforms could include stopping regular cash payments and offering recipients one-off grants, vouchers, a catalogue scheme or a receipt-based system instead.
Referring to a public consultation document on Disability Living Allowance reform from 2010, the Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride claimed: "We also know that some disabled people view their PIP award as compensation for being disabled rather than as an award for extra costs."
Scott Marsden, 63, told GB News the potential overhaul is an "added strain" which has left him feeling "anxious".
Mr Marsden, from Lancashire, worked as an electrician before an accident 25 years ago meant he had to change career.
No longer able to do any lifting due to back and neck problems, he retrained and worked in IT for 18 years before being made redundant. Mr Marsden hadn't realised he had been eligible for disability support after the accident and, for years, he didn't claim the support he was entitled to.
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Scott Marsden worked as an electrician before an accident meant he had to change career
SCOTT MARSDEN
In December 2022, he and his wife were struck down with Covid, with Mr Marsden continuing to suffer with the effects of Long Covid.
"We were both absolutely wiped out," he recalled. "It was like nothing we'd had before. We couldn't believe how it affected us both.
"As time went on, my wife got over it, but it left me permanently with Long Covid."
Fatigue, migraines, breathlessness and short-term memory loss are just some of the symptoms which Mr Marsden now has to cope with.
"It's so mentally draining. You think it's getting easier and then it hits you again and you're back where you started."
Mr Marsden wants to work, but his symptoms mean it's "impossible".
He said: "I am at home now day after day, struggling some days to cope. It's driving me mad not being able to work.
"Not everybody is a benefit scrounger sat at home living it up."
He says he's only eligible for PIP and as he can't work due to his condition, he's been forced to use his savings to get by. Mr Marsden's PIP is now under review.
"If I lose PIP it will be a disaster for my health, both physically and mentally," he said. "I wouldn't know what to do."
"PIP is nothing compared to a wage. The way Sunak's speaking, it's like they think you're living in luxury. But it's a struggle. It's unbelievable.
"I'd love to work. I want to work.
"But the Long Covid clinic said that I should forget about work and try and listen to what they're saying."
As well as caring for Mr Marsden, his wife works part-time, meaning she is not able to claim Carer's Allowance.
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he's "determined" to reform the disability benefits system
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He wants to be the breadwinner for his family but is unable to. "I've got to just watch my wife struggle. It's unreal," he said.
“I feel so strongly about how the disabled get targeted when masses amounts of money are wasted in government.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said this week: "It’s clear that our disability benefits system isn’t working in the way it was intended, and we’re determined to reform it to ensure it’s sustainable for the future, so we can continue delivering support to those who genuinely need it most.
"Today’s Green Paper marks the next chapter of our welfare reforms and is part of our plan to make the benefits system fairer to the taxpayer, better targeted to individual needs and harder to exploit by those who are trying to game the system.
"We’re inviting views from across society to ensure everyone has a chance to make their voices heard and shape our welfare reforms."
A DWP spokesperson said: “We are modernising our benefit system to reflect Britain’s changing health landscape, with a clear intention to move away from a ‘one size fits all’ model.
This is about improving the system and giving better support to those in the most need, as we invest billions in mental health provision.
“This consultation opens the next chapter of reform, enhancing the support for people with health conditions and disabilities while ensuring the system is fair to the taxpayer.”
