More than 50,000 disabled people could lose their jobs as a result of benefit changes - and this could cost the country hundreds of millions of pounds.
The government is planning reductions in disability mobility payments, and many people use these to get them to and from work.
A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC) showed that around half a million disabled people would lose all or part of their payments.
And a DBC survey showed that one-in-ten of them would struggle to stay in work without this money.
DBC, a national consortium of 50 disability charities, believes the policy would cost the country dearly:
"If these job losses happen as a result of cuts to mobility support, lost National Insurance and income tax contributions would cost around £278m. Disabled people leaving work would also require out of work benefits. Payments for disabled people leaving work could cost over £186m.
"The Government’s total cut in mobility support for disabled people in work could save £145m on paper. However, based on the DBC’s estimates this could cost £464m before other costs are taken into account."
Rosanna Singler, Co-chair of the DBC, Policy Officer at Leonard Cheshire Disability said:” We are extremely concerned the Government has failed to fully consider the impact of these reforms. If it is the case that nearly 50,000 disabled people will be at risk of losing their jobs the Government really needs to think again.
We are calling for a full investigation of the costs of these reforms to ensure disabled people can remain in work. It is hugely important that the Government get the change from DLA to PIP right. We should not forget this is a lifeline to many disabled people, giving them more independence. Disabled people need to get out like everyone else, go to work and see their families and friends, and often it is DLA that makes this happen.”
Steve Winyard, Co-chair of the DBC Steering Group and Head of Campaigns at RNIB, says:
“One in five disabled people use DLA to help them in work. But thousands could be forced out of employment as a result of cuts to mobility help.
DWP has failed to analyse this issue to date. It is vital that cuts don’t force disabled people out of work and cost more to the public purse overall.”