The Alliance for Children in Care and Care Leavers has written to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, urging an exemption for care leavers from a government proposal to restrict the health element of Universal Credit to those over 22.

The warning comes as the government lost half of its proposed £5 billion welfare savings when Labour backbench MPs forced a U-turn on plans to tighten PIP eligibility ahead of a key vote held on 1 July.

Announced in March as part of the “biggest shake-up to the welfare system in a decade,” the proposal would delay access to the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity element of Universal Credit until age 22, diverting funds into an expanded Youth Guarantee.

An estimated 3,500 care leavers aged 18–21 with disabilities or illnesses could lose vital financial support, leaving them struggling to afford essentials like food, rent and transport