Sweeping changes to PIP disability benefits could still happen by DWP

The DWP received 16,000 responses to the consultation into the PIP changes, which Timms said were "mixed and for some proposals consistently negative".

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is still pondering significant revisions to the Personal Independence Payment system. These contemplations come even after dismissing the idea of replacing cash payments with vouchers or a new catalogue format, as initially suggested by the Tory administration.

In response to a query from Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain, social security minister Stephen Timms clarified: "We do not intend to publish a response to the previous government's consultation."

READ MORE: Affordable housing target for Birmingham developments set to be slashed

He added that the current government would consider its approach to social security reform and stressed its commitment to involving disabled individuals in the process: "We will be considering 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."

Labour's blueprint for future social security schemes remains under wraps. The DWP's call for public input on proposed PIP changes received 16,000 responses, which Timms indicated had yielded a myriad of opinions, with notable opposition to certain suggestions: "mixed and for some proposals consistently negative". A representative from the DWP reiterated their dedication to advocating for disabled individuals, stating: "We are committed to championing the rights of disabled people so their views and voices are at the heart of all we do. We are now considering the responses to the consultation."

The Labour Party has put aside any Tory-led PIP reform notions following the minister’s assertion that the present government does not plan on releasing findings from the review, thus upending planned overhauls of the disability benefits system aimed at curbing welfare expenses.

Potential changes could lead to personal independence payments (PIP) being substituted with single grants and vouchers, alongside stricter eligibility requirements. The Department for Work and Pensions, under Labour's watch, has pledged to evaluate its "own approach to social security in due course" and to "champion the rights of disabled people".

However, there is still no confirmation on whether it will maintain the proposed alterations to PIP, sparking considerable worry among recipients.