People with disabilities who receive welfare payments have criticised the Prime Minister’s planned welfare reforms.

Mr Sunak has proposed changes to the personal independence payment (PIP) which he says aim to help with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability.

He suggested that greater medical evidence could be required to substantiate a PIP claim, and that some people with mental health conditions might be offered talking therapies or respite care rather than cash transfers.

Rosie Sargent, 27, who has cerebral palsy and lives in Wiltshire, said she received around £316 every four weeks through PIP but that did not sufficiently cover her costs.

She told PA: “[It] only covers the basics like gas and electric. It doesn’t touch what I actually need to spend it on like transportation, as that’s a challenge within itself.

“I am lucky to have my partner to cover household costs, however I have to sacrifice being able to go out and about, and heating as it is really expensive even when I do top it up.

“I became dangerously underweight with a BMI of 14 so that my children had all the food they need.

“I have one meal a day and rely on nutritional shakes prescribed by the GP. I have completely lost any independence I had pre-Covid.”

She said applying for PIP was “a long and tiring process”, adding: “I felt like I was being gaslit by the government and that my experience as a disabled person was being downplayed.

"A part of me felt like I had lost my identity.”

On comments made by Mr Sunak in a speech, including where he spoke about his worries about Pip “being misused”, she said: “It is quite clear after Sunak’s comments that the government is actively targeting disabled and vulnerable people.

“I am concerned that this will increase hatred towards disabled people and make our lives harder than it already is.”

The proposed reforms have sparked concerns from others around the country.

Debra Baxter, 58, who has triplegic spasmatic cerebral palsy, burnout syndrome and various food intolerances, was “completely incensed” when she learned of Mr Sunak’s proposal.

She's concerned that the proposed changes could impact her ability to pay her bills, adding:  "The government really doesn’t seem to understand the needs of disabled people because they don’t want to listen to independent disabled people.

“They’re going to drive disabled people into more poverty and more mental health problems, and more problems with disability.”