DWP gets 'mixed' response to PIP change proposals
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has admitted that responses to proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which were put forward in a recent consultation, have been "mixed"
by Elaine Blackburne, Linda Howard · ChronicleLiveThe Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has conceded that reaction to proposed revisions in the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) systems, recently put forth in a public consultation, received a "mixed" reception including some "consistently negative" feedback.
Updated figures from the DWP show that claims for PIP have surged to an unprecedented high, with more than 3.6 million people across Great Britain now benefitting from monthly payments of up to £737.20. In a query to the DWP, Chris Law of the SNP enquired whether the UK Government plans to implement the reforms suggested in the 'Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper', originally presented by the preceding Conservative leadership in April.
Post-consultation ideas under review included introducing non-monetary alternatives to direct cash payments for PIP, like vouchers, one-off grants, or systems rooted in receipts, or allowing claimants to pick aids from a given catalogue. Further recommendations included amending the eligibility conditions for PIP, remodelling the evaluation process, and transferring costs affiliated with PIP to the NHS and local government bodies.
In a written reply to the MP for Dundee Central earlier this week, Sir Stephen Timms MP, the Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, revealed that over 16,000 responses were gathered during the 12-week consultation period, which ended on July 22. He stated: "This demonstrates the depth of feeling about the previous Government's proposals."
"I thank the British public, as well as the numerous charities and organisations who responded on behalf of their members, for the time and effort taken to share their thoughts and views.", reports the Manchester Evening News.
Get all the latest money news and budgeting tips from Chronicle Live with our free newsletter
, as reported by the Daily Record. "Whilst engaging with responses, I can confirm that responses to the set of proposals on the reform of Personal Independence Payments was mixed and for some proposals consistently negative."
Mr Timms further added: "We will be setting out our own plans for social security in due course and will fulfil our continued commitment to work with disabled people so that their views and voices are at the heart of all that we do."
Parliament is currently in recess until Monday, October 7, due to the party conference season.
This date also aligns with the next scheduled DWP oral questions session in the House of Lords. The session will mark the first occasion the new ministerial team, led by Liz Kendall, will face questions from the opposition benches - a moment that could offer millions of PIP claimants fresh insights into the proposals outlined in the Green Paper.
The Green Paper itself highlights potential alternatives to the standard PIP cash payments, suggesting that if the DWP were to investigate different ways of supporting individuals with disabilities and long-term health conditions, it could continue to contribute to their additional costs through various models. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has forecasted that the proposed changes to the Work Capability Assessment could result in 424,000 individuals with severe mobility or mental health issues being denied additional Universal Credit of more than £400 per month and protection from sanctions.
The OBR also estimates that only three per cent of these individuals would be expected to find work within the next four years. For those claiming benefits in Scotland, the suggested changes will not affect the 173,000 people currently receiving PIP or Disability Living Allowance (DLA), as they will transition to Adult Disability Payment (ADP) or Scottish Adult DLA (SADLA) by the end of next year.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community