WELFARE campaigners warned today that axing health benefits for under-22s could push many into poverty.

The Labour Westminster government’s proposals to cut health benefits has prompted dozens of charities to write to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden and government adviser and former Labour minister Alan Milburn.

The letter said that while they accept change is needed to reform welfare, it must focus on support and opportunity instead of “the failed punitive approaches of the past.”

Organisations including Action for Children, housing charity Shelter, food bank co-ordinator Trussell and disability equality charity Scope have signed the letter.

A Westminster proposal published last year for consultation under Sir Keir Starmer suggested delaying access to the health element of universal credit (UC) within a reformed welfare system until someone reached the age of 22.

Just after taking office in July, Prime Minister Andy Burnham ruled out “crude cuts” to benefits but promised to “get really serious” about reducing the welfare bill.

The letter said: “We welcome your commitment to tackling the growing number of young people who are not in education, employment or training [Neets] through a fair and sustainable approach to change.

“We are also encouraged by the Prime Minister’s recognition that crude cuts to benefit levels are not the answer to reducing social security spending.”

Plaid Cymru’s DWP spokesperson Ann Davies MP said: “Plaid Cymru has already made it clear to the UK government that restricting the health element of Universal Credit arbitrarily to people aged 22 and over would be unfair and discriminatory.

“Plaid Cymru has also long called for the welfare system to be devolved to Wales so that we can get to grips with the specific challenges that our communities face and provide support that would help everyone reach their potential.”  

More than 40 signatories, also including Save the Children and Barnardos, said evidence had shown that “cutting benefits worsens health and deepens poverty.”

Action for Children’s Lucy Schonegevel said: “If ministers want better outcomes for disabled young people, the evidence points to earlier intervention, tailored support and genuinely meaningful job and volunteering opportunities, not sanctions or cuts.”

Scope’s James Taylor said: “Any cuts to the health element of universal credit will only push more young disabled people into poverty, not jobs.”

The letter came as Reform UK unveiled plans to make long-term benefits claimants clean up their local high street or face being stripped of benefits.

The party’s Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said the policy would be part of a series of changes to welfare and benefits under a Reform government that would stop some claimants “taking everyone else for mugs.”

The proposal was announced alongside others that Mr Jenrick said would cut £50 billion from social security spending.