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06/06/2026

👋 Your UK Disability News Roundup from The Disability Union

A lot has happened in the last few weeks that could directly affect our community. We have tired hard to release the news when we hear it but just incase you missed anything - (or we did) Here’s what you need to know.

🏢 Fairer Workplaces?
MPs are pushing for a two-week legal deadline for employers to respond to requests for reasonable adjustments. They've heard from people waiting over four months, or even a year. The same report is also calling for mandatory disability training for managers.

💼 An Inquiry into Flexible Working
There’s a new parliamentary inquiry looking at whether flexible working is actually helping disabled people get and keep jobs. With only 52.8% of working-age disabled people in employment (compared to 82.5% for non-disabled people), they want to find out why the shift to home and hybrid work hasn’t closed the gap.

📊 Pay Gap Reporting is (Finally) Coming
After years of campaigning, the government has confirmed that large employers (250+ staff) will soon be legally required to report their ethnicity and disability pay gaps. This is a huge step forward. Currently, the earning gap between disabled and non-disabled workers sits at over £4,000 a year.

🚨 A Major Fix for Access to Work
The DWP is recruiting nearly 500 new case managers to tackle the huge backlog in the Access to Work scheme. The number of claims has more than doubled, leaving around 60,000 people waiting. The aim is to clear the backlog by September 2027.

✍️ Big SEND Reforms on the Horizon
The government has announced its "Education for All Bill". EHCPs will be reserved for children with the most complex needs, while others will get new statutory Individual Support Plans (ISPs). The aim is earlier intervention and more support within mainstream schools, but many are anxious about how this transition will actually work.

💸 The Rising Cost of Living as a Disabled Person
New analysis from Scope shows disabled households face an average £1,095 extra costs per month to secure the same standard of living as non-disabled households. And from July 1st, the Motability Scheme is bringing in significant changes, including a reduced mileage allowance and new taxes on leases.

That’s a lot to take in. What’s on your mind this week?

05/06/2026

Disabled people deserve security — not suspicion, delays, and cuts.
The Disability Union exists for one simple reason: we’re stronger together.

If you’re dealing with benefits stress, assessments, social care charging, or rising living costs, you shouldn’t have to face it alone.

What we do:
1:1 advocacy and support (help with forms, letters, next steps, and navigating the system)
Share clear, accessible info and explainers
Amplify disabled people’s stories
Organise for real change

Join us: https://disabilityunion.co.uk/our-mission/
Need support / want to share your experience? Comment or DM “SUPPORT”.

04/06/2026

Universal Credit Managed Migration – The Deadline Has Passed
Big change that's already happened.

All legacy benefits ended on 31st March 2026. Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, and Housing Benefit are now gone for most people. If you were moved over as part of 'managed migration' before that date, you should have received Transitional Protection – extra money to make sure you weren't left worse off during the switch.

But here's the thing: Transitional Protection is no longer available to new claimants, and it erodes over time as other things change, like your rent going up or your wages increasing.

We're already hearing from members that their Transitional Protection is being slowly eaten away – sometimes without them even realising until they check their statements closely.

Have you noticed your Universal Credit going down while your costs go up? Check your latest statement – is your Transitional Protection still there, or is it shrinking? Let us know what's happening in the comments. 👇

03/06/2026

The Cost of Living – Why Disabled People Are Being Hit Hardest
We can't ignore it. The cost of living is still crushing people, and disabled households are feeling it the most.

The energy price cap is now set at £1,620 a year – that's roughly 40-45% higher than before the energy crisis began. But here's the kicker: disabled people often use significantly more energy for medical equipment, powerchairs, hoists, oxygen machines, and keeping homes warm enough for health conditions.

The Warm Home Discount has changed – from 1st April 2026, the levy has moved from the standing charge onto unit energy rates. That sounds technical, but what it means is that households with unavoidably high energy needs could end up paying more, not less.

On the plus side, over 150,000 disabled adults getting social care will now keep at least £400 more each year, thanks to an increase in the minimum income guarantee. And the Disabled Facilities Grant got £723 million for home adaptations this year.

But let's be real – £400 barely scratches the surface when your energy bills have gone up by hundreds of pounds and food prices are still climbing.

How much has your cost of living gone up this year? And has the government's support actually reached you? Let's be honest in the comments – we need to know if these changes are working or not

02/06/2026

Lots of fun at our Portchester group this week Sensory Superstars 🌈

02/06/2026

Let's talk about DLA for children – because the rules have recently changed.

The two-child limit was officially abolished on 6th April 2026. That means if you have three or more children, you can now claim the child element of Universal Credit for all of them, not just the first two.

But here's the bit that affects our community directly: If you have a disabled child, you may also be entitled to the Disabled Child Addition – an extra £164.79 per month on top of your Universal Credit. That's nearly £2,000 a year that could make a real difference to your family's budget.

And if you're caring for a child who gets DLA, you might also be exempt from the benefit cap and could be entitled to Carer's Allowance.

Quick question for parents: Do you currently get the Disabled Child Addition on your Universal Credit? If not, it's worth checking – that's money that should be in your pocket. Let us know in the comments if you've claimed it, or if you're not sure whether you're eligible. 👇

01/06/2026

EHCPs – Big Changes Coming to SEND Support
If you're a parent of a child with special educational needs, this one's for you.

The government has announced a major overhaul of the SEND system. The key takeaway? EHCPs will no longer be the starting point for support. Under the new plans, EHCPs are going to be reserved only for children with the most complex needs.

Instead, all children with SEND will get an Individual Support Plan (ISP) – a new legal entitlement to support that schools will have to provide without families having to fight for it.

But there are some deadlines to be aware of: Transition for children moving from an EHCP to an ISP will only start from 2030, and only when children naturally move between school phases. And if your child currently has a special school place in 2029, they'll keep it if they want to.

Over £3 billion is being invested over three years – £1.6bn into schools and £1.8bn for specialists like speech therapists. That sounds good on paper, but the proof will be in whether your child actually gets the support they need, without you having to spend years battling the system.

Parents, we want to hear from you: Have you already been told your child's EHCP might be reassessed? Are you worried about what these changes mean? Drop your experiences below. 👇

29/05/2026

News out this week highlights what many in our community already know all too well: the 'disability price tag' is increasing at an alarming rate in the UK. From energy costs for essential medical equipment to the rising price of accessible transport, disabled households are being hit the hardest.

While some support exists, many feel the system isn't keeping pace. It's time for a larger conversation about systemic change and targeted support that truly works.

💬 What do you think is the single most important policy change needed in the UK right now to address this? Let's start the discussion below and make our voices heard. 👇

28/05/2026

When one person fights a broken system, it's exhausting. When thousands of us stand together, it's a movement. ✊

The Disability Union was founded to break down systemic obstacles, promote true equality, and advocate for policy changes that actually matter to Disabled People across the UK. From local councils to Westminster, we represent your lived experiences.

By becoming a card-carrying member of the Union, you aren't just getting personalised support and advice—you are funding the collective fight for disability justice.
Together, we are making the world a fairer, more accessible place.

✨ Not a member yet? Join the movement today for less than the price of a takeaway coffee per month.

https://disabilityunion.co.uk/choose-membership-2/

27/05/2026

Ever felt like you're shouting into a void when trying to access the statutory services or reasonable adjustments you're legally entitled to?

It’s time to change the dynamic. 📣
When you join The Disability Union, we don't just advocate for you—we empower you with the tools to self-advocate with confidence. That's why every new member receives a free digital copy of our empowering book: How To Make Them Listen: The Disability Rights Campaign Toolkit.

From navigating local housing issues to standing up for your rights at work, this toolkit is your step-by-step guide to breaking down barriers.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to join our community today and claim your free toolkit!

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