UPDATE 20 SEPTEMBER: No decision has been made yet on the decision not to provide a £20 uplift to legacy benefits. The case was scheduled to be heard by the High Court on 28-29 September but unfortunately has now been delayed due to a lack of available judges.

A new date for the case to be heard has not been set yet, but we will update this information as soon as it has and keep you updated on what the outcome from any decision will mean once the hearing happens.

Ever since the Government provided a £20 uplift to those on Universal Credit but not legacy benefits, the Disability Benefits Consortium have been leading the campaign to #IncreaseLegacyBenefits. This week marks a major step forward in the campaign as the High Court has granted claimants of Employment Support Allowance permission to challenge the Department for Work and Pensions on their decision not to provide the same uplift as was given to people on Universal Credit.

The case is due to be decided later in the year and more details on it are available here from Osborne Law.

Anastasia Berry, Policy Manager at the MS Society and Policy Co-Chair of the DBC, says: “The High Court’s decision to hear the case is a positive step in recognising the discrimination of over 1.9 million disabled people on legacy benefits, including Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseeker’s Allowance. Being denied the same increase as those on Universal Credit since the start of the pandemic has meant many have been pushed further into poverty.

“Today’s announcement is encouraging news for the 120,000+ people who signed our ‘Don’t Leave Disabled People Behind’ petition, as well as MPs from all parties and organisations who have supported our calls, but the fight to end this discrimination hasn’t ended yet. We hope the High Court recognises the failings of the Government, and people on legacy benefits are given the £20 per week they desperately need.”

Keep an eye out for further information and updates