Further to Rishi Sunak's announcement a week ago, this afternoon the government are publishing a green paper exploring the overhaul and reform of Personal Independence Payment. The proposed scope of this reform has huge implications for how this benefit is awarded in future, as well as changing the nature of who may be eligible and whether a cash payment is awarded to successful claims.
There will obviously be a lot of anxiety and concern from people with disabilities as PIP can have a significant impact on quality of life and access to other benefits and services. None of the proposed changes can happen without legislation being put before parliament. This means that it would not be the current government that would be bringing this to parliament but whichever government is formed after the next general election. Legislative changes such as these take years before they are enacted.
With current polls suggesting that there will be a change of governing party, it is also quite possible that these plans will not be taken up by the next government at all. It is important for people not to take these proposals as definite as it is far more likely that the new incoming government will have their own ideas about welfare reform.
However, as there will be a 12 week consultation period, it is vital that disabled people and charities supporting their members make their views regarding these proposals known.
Public consultation
The Department for Work and Pensions in its press release yesterday, said:
- The consultation can be found here: Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
- You can respond using this online form, or,
- You can email: consultation.modernisingsupport@DWP.GOV.UK
- You can write to:
Modernising Support: The Health and Disability Green Paper
Disability and Health Support Directorate
Department for Work and Pensions
Level 2
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA
- This consultation will be open for 12 weeks and we are inviting views from across society to ensure everyone has a chance to shape the modernisation of the welfare system. The findings of the consultation, which closes on Tuesday 23 July, will inform future reforms.
- The UK Government is committed to improving the lives of disabled people and people with long-term health conditions in all parts of the UK.
- In Wales, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the responsibility of the UK Government.
- In Northern Ireland, PIP is transferred and is the responsibility of the Department for Communities.
- In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment (ADP) has replaced PIP and is the responsibility of the Scottish Government. The transfer of existing Scottish PIP claimants from DWP to Social Security Scotland started in summer 2022 and will continue until 2025.
- We will continue to work with the Devolved Administrations to consider the implications of the proposals in this Green Paper in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
More information
- DWP: Disability Benefits system to be overhauled as consultation launched on Personal Independence Payment | 29 April 2024
- BBC News: Disabled people face end to regular PIP payments | 29 April 2024
Ella Smith,
Welfare Rights Adviser.
The ME Association.
