Impossible choices for parents on the brink

Fears over cuts to disability benefits

- ROS WYNNE-JONES AND MARYAM QAISER

FOR Sarah, the mother of two disabled children, waiting for the government axe to fall once again is piling anxiety on agony.

This week, speculation was swirling over how Chancellor Rachel Reeves will try to balance the books in the Spring Statement, with billions expected to be slashed from the welfare bill. Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are not off limits.

"I'm reading in the news about cuts and changing our payments to a 'catalogue' to get equipment," says Sarah, whose name has been changed.

"How's that going to help me pay my bills? Is this catalogue going to have the incontinence products I currently buy for my son? We get a supply of three incontinence pads per day, but use six or more. I also buy booster pads to make them more absorbent.

"I also buy special dry wipes and skin-cleaning foam - will those exact products be in this catalogue?

"And the non-foaming toothpaste both boys use, and the ointment for my son's stoma site that's not on prescription that I have to buy from America, and so many more things I use the PIP money for?"

After 14 years of brutal cuts, there is not much more disabled people, or the parents of disabled children, can take.

A study from Trussell formerly the Trussell Trust shows 19% of people claiming Universal Credit and disability benefits have used a foodbank at least once in the past month.

In the past three months, over two in five (43%) have skipped meals to keep up with other essential costs. A quarter have had to choose between paying for heating or food, or getting a bed or bedding, and more than a third (37%) have not been able to keep their home warm enough.