Cut to the Bone

In March 2025, the UK Government announced plans to cut the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – a benefit that helps people with the extra costs of living with a disability or long term condition like arthritis. For many, it’s a lifeline. 

People with arthritis are one of the largest groups who rely on this type of support. If these plans went ahead, 77% of people with arthritis who currently rely on PIP in England and Wales were at risk of losing it altogether. 

That’s why we launched Cut to the Bone, calling on the UK Government to rethink their plans and protect people with arthritis now. 

A powerful movement 

Almost 40,000 people joined the campaign and spoke out against the cuts. Together, we reached all 650 Members of Parliament (MPs), urging them to vote against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill (now the Universal Credit Act) which would have made these plans a reality. 

Behind the scenes, Arthritis UK also: 

• Met with MPs to share the real-life impact of these plans 
• Wrote to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
• Submitted our response to the Pathways to Work Green Paper consultation 
• United with others in calling on the UK Government to work with disabled people to fix the system, not against them.

Together we made a difference 

Our campaigning made a difference. The UK Government scrapped their plans to cut PIP and have committed to work with disabled people to review the assessment process. And while there’s still so much more do to protect people with arthritis, this is a win for our community. 

We’ll continue to unite with others to push for a fair and compassionate benefits system for everyone in with arthritis across the UK – not just now, but in the future too.