Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper

Official Government Consultation Page

This is the primary source for the Green Paper document itself and information about the consultation process. Please note that the government is only consulting on part of this green paper.

• Disability Rights UK: Accessible Consultation Documents

What is a Green Paper?

A green paper is typically a government consultation document that outlines policy proposals or potential legislative changes. It is designed to be open to public discussion and feedback before a final decision is made. Green papers are often the first step in a policy process, allowing for wider debate and input from various stakeholders.

Purpose:

Green papers are used to gather opinions and ideas from a wide range of people, including the public, experts, and relevant organisations.

Content:

They are usually designed to be an open and accessible process, inviting feedback and suggestions on the proposals outlined in the paper. However, the accessible formats of this paper were published three weeks after the consultation opened, and the length of the easy-read version is such that it isn’t very easy to read!

Relationship to White Papers:

Green papers are often, but not always, followed by white papers, which are more detailed and formal statements of government policy.

Comprehensive Resource List for Campaigning Against the Green Paper

Below is a detailed list of resources that disabled people, carers, and allies can use to campaign against the proposed welfare reforms in the government’s Green Paper. This includes template letters, briefings, easy-read guides, campaign actions, articles, research, legal resources, and petitions. All resources are drawn from leading user-led organizations, charities, and independent experts. These resources offer a range of perspectives. Remember that the consultation is open until June 30, 2025, so these resources may be updated with further analysis and information.

Briefings

• Disability Rights UK (DRUK)
  • Changes for media and campaigners
  • Impact Assessment
• Inclusion London
  • MP Briefing on Disability-Related Social Security and Work (Download from Inclusion London’s website)
• Scope
  • Green Paper Explainer: What the changes mean for disabled people and families
  • The Cost of Cuts Campaign
• Benefits and Work
  • What’s Changing and When: Detailed breakdown of proposed reforms and timelines
  • Benefits and Work: DWP Green Paper Impact Assessment
• Disability Sheffield
  • Green Paper Consultation Resources (see Disability Sheffield’s website for details)
• Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG)
  • Briefing: Focuses on poverty impact

Action for ME:

• Action for ME: Green Paper and its impact

Template Letters

• DRUK’s Template Submission: PIP Green Paper Consultation
• Inclusion London template letter (Word doc)2
• Benefits and Work template letter about the Green Paper
• Sheffield Voices Easy Read Letter: Accessible version for people with learning disabilities
• Letter Template to MPs: Template letter for contacting your MP
• Scope Letter to MPs: Scope provides a ready-made letter for MPs

Statements and Responses

• Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and Minority Rights Group: Strong condemnation of the proposed welfare cuts, outlining the expected impact on disabled people and calling for action. Read the statement
• Scope’s reaction and guidance on navigating changes
• Money and Mental Health Policy Institute Response: Official statement condemning eligibility restrictions8.
• Centre for Mental Health Warning: Projects reforms will worsen mental health outcomes
• Money and Mental Health Policy Institute: Response to Green Paper
• Versus Arthritis: Response to the Green Paper
• Motability Foundation: Consultation Response
• Mind: Reaction to UK government Green Paper on benefit reform

Articles and Opinion Pieces

• DRUK: DWP launches entirely bogus Green Paper consultation
• DRUK: PIP Reform Green Paper’s clear agenda is reducing financial support
• Disability News Service: Coverage and disabled people’s reactions
• Disability News Service: “Loss of key protection is nightmarish demonstration of Green Paper’s bureaucratic violence,” say activists
• Resolution Foundation: A Dangerous Road
• Business Disability Forum: Shaping Future Support
• New Economics Foundation: The true scale and impact of benefit cuts
• Institute for Fiscal Studies: Commentary on economic effects
• https://dimensions-uk.org/press-release/dimensions-response-get-britain-working-green-paper/
• https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/03/19/many-disabled-people-face-benefit-cuts-in-government-plan-to-save-over-5bn-from-welfare-system/
• https://www.lrd.org.uk/free-read/unkindest-cuts-all-unions-blast-welfare-reforms
• https://www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/news/government-urged-to-scrap-proposed-changes-to-benefits-system/
• https://www.nationalcareforum.org.uk/ncf-press-releases/ncf-responds-to-government-green-paper-on-welfare-system-reform/
• https://www.learningdisabilitytoday.co.uk/topic/policy/what-do-the-welfare-reforms-mean-for-people-with-a-learning-disability/

Please note DRUK and Disability News Service regularly update their news sections with the latest analysis and calls to action.

Legal

• https://gcnchambers.co.uk/legal-challenges-or-a-labour-rebellion-tom-royston-dissects-governments-proposed-cuts-to-disability-benefits/
• Legal Challenges Analysis: Explains possible legal routes to challenge the reforms.
• Equality Act and Human Rights Arguments: Legal basis for challenging discrimination.
• FOI Requests: Disability News Service Coverage

Research

• Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Analysis on poverty and benefits
• Institute for Fiscal Studies: Economic and distributional effects
• New Economics Foundation: Poverty impacts
• Resolution Foundation: Economic analysis

Easy-Read Resources

• Mencap Easy Read Guide
• Benefit Changes Easy Read: Explains the Green Paper and what it means for people with learning disabilities
• Sheffield Voices Easy Read Letter
• Accessible Template Letter: For people with learning disabilities to send to MPs
• Disability Rights UK Accessible Formats
• Accessible Consultation Documents: Large print, audio, and BSL versions

Additional Key Resources

• The Big Issue: How to Make Your Voice Heard
  • Guide for individuals and organizations on how to respond to the Green Paper and participate in the consultation process. Read the guide
  • https://www.bigissue.com/news/social-justice/make-voice-heard-against-dwp-disability-benefit-cuts/
• Minority Rights Group – Works with minority communities in defence of their rights. https://minorityrights.org/pip-cuts/
• MS Society
  • Guidance: Advises members to process claims urgently and contact MPs.
  • Consultation: Directs users to MS Trust’s page (collaborative resource)10.
• Crips Against Cuts
  • Profile and Campaign Information: Introduction to the new grassroots, disabled-led campaign network mobilising against the Green Paper’s welfare cuts, with information on local groups and actions. Read about the group and join local actions
• Money and Mental Health Policy Institute: This institute has also provided a response highlighting the potential impact on people with mental health problems.
  • https://www.moneyandmentalhealth.org/press-release/money-and-mental-health-response-to-government-welfare-green-paper/
• Action for ME: This charity provides information about the Green Paper and its potential impact on individuals with ME.
  • https://www.actionforme.org.uk/dwp-green-paper-exploring-the-review-and-reform-of-pip/
• Business Disability Forum: This forum offers insights into the Green Paper from the perspective of employers and disabled employees.
  • https://businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/resource/shaping-future-support/
• Citizens Advice: This organization offers advice and information on various topics, including benefits. Their website may contain information and analysis of the Green Paper’s implications for claimants.
  • https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ (Search their site for “PIP Green Paper”)
  • https://salfordcab.org.uk/citizens-advice-salford-welfare-reform-green-paper/
  • Turn2us: Benefits calculator and support
  • [RNID, Parkinson’s UK]: All have statements, support, and campaign materials for their communities.
  • Salford Citizens Advice: Welfare Reform Green Paper
  • Learning Disability England: Policy updates and concerns
  • National Autistic Society: Information and campaigns
  • Dimensions UK: Response to Green Paper
  • RNIB: Open letter to Chancellor
  • https://www.scope.org.uk/campaigns/open-letter-to-the-chancellor-the-cost-of-cuts-to-disability-benefits
  • https://www.in-common.co.uk/2025/04/02/readers-letter-enough-is-enough-we-reject-planned-welfare-cuts/
  • Money Saving Expert: Benefit changes and impact
  • Rethink Mental Illness: News and policy
  • https://www.hear-us.org/campaigning-project/cuts-to-welfare-benefits/
  • https://weareunlimited.org.uk/disabled-artists-under-threat-time-to-take-action/

Legal

• Legal Challenges Analysis: Explains possible legal routes to challenge the reforms
• Equality Act and Human Rights Arguments: Legal basis for challenging discrimination

Note: Some resources (e.g., Inclusion London’s MP briefing, Sheffield Voices Easy Read Letter) are available directly from the respective organisations’ websites. All links are current as of April 2025.