The government’s new Pathways to Work Green Paper sets out major reforms to disability benefits and employment support. These changes could reshape the landscape for disabled professionals, with both risks and opportunities.

The most significant proposal is the reform of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). From 2026, tighter rules will mean many people lose entitlement. Estimates suggest around 370,000 current claimants could lose support at review, with average losses of £4,500 per year. Universal Credit health element will also change, falling to £50 per week for new claimants from 2026, creating a gap of around £3,000 per year compared with today.

For working professionals, losing PIP has a wider impact. It not only reduces income but may also block access to Universal Credit health support once the Work Capability Assessment is scrapped. This could mean combined losses of up to £9,600 a year.

On the positive side, the government has committed £1 billion to expand employment programmes such as Access to Work, WorkWell and IPS. Yet Access to Work currently supports only around 1 percent of disabled workers, and reform is still under consultation.

Disabled professionals should review their benefits, seek advice, and prepare to engage with the consultation process to ensure their voices are heard.