Ahead of the UK budget, a Scottish mother who has cancer is urging the UK government not to cut any benefits as she worries she will ‘be left destitute.’ 

Her concerns come after reports Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering sticking with the Conservative plans to restrict access to benefits on the grounds of ill-health in the upcoming budget. 

Labour is expected to make changes to Work Capability Assessment - which is used to determine whether or not a person can receive additional income-related benefits on the grounds of a health condition or disability. 

Mother of two Jessica, whose name we have changed to protect her anonymity, was a full-time teacher for 25 years but had to give up work after she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2020. 

Following surgery, chemotherapy and ongoing treatments, Jessica suffers with long-lasting side effects, including hand tremors, cognitive issues and memory problems. She initially took sick leave from work, but when that ended the family had to apply for benefits. 

The mother lives in rural Scotland with her two teenage children who have additional support needs and her husband who is a full-time carer and suffers from health conditions.  

Jessica is currently in receipt of universal credit as well as the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Her family receives a total of £3,000 a month from both governments in benefits, however, she said any move to cut benefits controlled by the UK Government or to restrict the process of claiming them would be ‘unimaginable’. 

Jessica told the Herald: “It would be a disaster. I think I would have a much harder time. I think at some stage, they will come to me and say, ‘We need to review this’ and I fully expect it to be a very difficult process.”

“When you are having chemotherapy, it’s very obvious you are unwell but three years down the line and the signs aren’t as clear, I worry some of these health issues are more subtle. 

“We would be unable to live on Universal Credit alone at the moment…our mortgage is just over £1,000. Then, the Employment and Support Allowance adds about another £500 on, and those are the two main benefits, so we would have not a hope in hell of trying to keep things together”

Jessica says her family lives a very modest life and any cuts by the UK Government may force her family into “destitution”. 

“The financial situation is stressful, it’s precarious,”, the mother said, “We are incredibly careful…We don't drink, don't smoke, we don't eat out. We literally just try to make two ends meet, and I use the community larder."

“We would have no safety net if any cuts to benefits happen and it would leave us destitute, in a sense.”

 Government sources have confirmed Labour is looking to “deliver savings” on the amount it spends on welfare in its budget which will be announced on October 30th.

Ministers have not ruled out plans to limit benefits on the grounds of ill health, but they are emphasising they will "radically" shake up benefits for people whose health limits their ability to work.

Jessica says this “broad brush approach” is “incredibly damaging” for people like her who would “do anything to be able to work again” however, current health conditions prevent them from doing so. 

An Action For Children survey -  which polled 1,130 parents in receipt of incapacity benefits across the UK - examined the impact of universal credit and barriers to getting back into work. 

It showed the most common barriers to returning to paid employment were: being too unwell to work or work more, not getting the treatment they need from the NHS,  a lack of suitable or flexible jobs and a lack of remote jobs.  

With universal credit reserved to Westminster, the charity’s Scottish chief executive is urging the UK Government not to make any cuts to benefits in the budget and instead look to improve the process for those in receipt of them. They also say the child element of universal credit must be improved for families. 

Fiona Steel, national director for Scotland at Action for Children, said: “Action for Children are calling for specialist advisors in the new Jobs and Careers Service to lead all contact with those out of work due to disability or ill-health, and stronger flexible working for employees with health conditions and disabilities. 

“Social security and employment advice should have a dual role: as a safety net when families need it, and  to become a springboard to help get them back into the workforce. It's currently failing at both with parent struggling to make ends meet and struggling to find a job. We must see the UK government chart a new course at next week’s Budget.”

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Ministers say their focus going into the budget next week is “getting our economy growing again by getting Britain working again.”

A UK Government spokesperson said:  “We’re taking action to support people into work with planned Jobcentre reform- transforming them so even more people are supported into work, and are making work pay by ensuring the national minimum wage is a genuine living wage.

“To drive down poverty in every part of the country and support low-income families, we have set out our ambitious strategy and are reviewing Universal Credit.”

For Jessica, a mother from rural Scotland worried about the future for her and her children, the solution is: "No cuts to benefits...some awareness, some understanding and some dignity.”