Latest news with #LizKendall
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Over 400,000 people on PIP set to lose daily living payments due to new DWP reforms
The OBR now estimates 430,000 PIP claimants will lose their award between November 2026 and 2030. New estimates from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) indicate that 1.64 million people currently claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will have an award review between November 2026 and March 2030. Of these, it expects roughly a quarter (430,000) will lose their daily living award as a result of the tightened eligibility criteria, proposed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). New and existing claimants will need to score at four points in at least one of the 10 daily living categories - along with the requisite number of overall points from others - to qualify for PIP. The average loss to those claimants would be £4,500 each year, under the current PIP payment rates. MPs will debate the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on July 1, when it receives its second reading in the House of Commons. However, concerns and questions are expected to be raised on Monday when Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and her senior ministerial team attend the scheduled oral questions session in Parliament. The DWP has now conducted analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity in 18 of the most common disabling conditions. These conditions have been chosen as they make up the highest proportions of PIP caseloads. The DWP has now conducted analysis of PIP claimants who did not score four points in at least one daily living activity in 18 of the most common disabling conditions. These conditions have been chosen as they make up the highest proportions of PIP caseloads. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, recently shared the analysis findings in a written response to Liberal Democrat MP Victoria Collins. Sir Stephen said: 'A breakdown of the impact of the reforms on disability overall has been published as part of an Equality Analysis of the Spring Statement package of measures 'Data on the health conditions of Universal Credit claimants being placed in the LCWRA has been published and will continue to be taken into account in the future programme of analysis.' The DWP Minister continued: 'Analysis of those who do not score four points in at least one daily living activity for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has now been undertaken.' He added that the table of findings 'shows the volume of claimants with the 18 most common disabling conditions in receipt of the PIP daily living component in January 2025, as well as the volume and proportion of these claimants who were awarded less than four points in all 10 daily living activities.' DWP analysis of current daily living awards DWP notes on the analysis state that the health condition category is based on primary health condition as recorded on the PIP Computer System at time of latest assessment. Many claimants have multiple health conditions but only primary condition is available for analysis. The list below shows PIP health conditions, the number of comments in receipt of PIP daily living component and the number of claimants awarded less than four points in all daily living activities at the end of January 2025. Back Pain - 194,000 claimants, 154,000 (79%) scored less than 4 points Arthritis - 279,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored less than 4 points Other Regional Musculoskeletal Diseases - 136,000 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored less than 4 points Chronic Pain Syndromes - 173,00 claimants, 97,000 (71%) scored less than 4 points Cardiovascular Diseases - 61,000 claimants, 38,000 (62%) scored less than 4 points Respiratory Diseases - 83,000 claimants, 45,000 (55%) scored less than 4 points Multiple Sclerosis and Neuropathic Diseases - 80,000 claimants, 38,000 (48%) scored less than 4 points All Other Conditions - 272,000 claimants, 126,000 (46%) scored less than 4 points Other Neurological Diseases - 97,000 claimants,35,000 (36%) scored less than 4 points Cerebrovascular Diseases - 56,000 claimants, 19,000 (34%) scored less than 4 points Cancer - 70,000 claimants, 23,000 (33%) scored less than 4 points Epilepsy - 36,000 claimants, 11,000 (30%) scored less than 4 points Other Psychiatric Disorders - 90,000 claimants, 25,000 (28%) scored less than 4 points Cerebral Palsy and Neurological Muscular Diseases - 47,000 claimants, 11,000 (24%) scored less than 4 points Psychotic Disorders - 112,000 claimants, 26,000 (23%) scored less than 4 points ADHD / ADD - 75,000 claimants, 14,000 (19%) scored less than 4 points Autistic Spectrum Disorders - 206,000 claimants, 13,000 (6%) scored less than 4 points Learning Disabilities - 188,000claimants, 7,000 (3%) scored less than 4 points Other disabling condition groups which cover smaller proportions of the PIP caseload are covered in the 'Other Conditions' category. This includes: Visual Diseases Other General Musculoskeletal Diseases Endocrine Diseases Hearing Disorders Gastrointestinal Diseases Genitourinary Diseases Skin Diseases Autoimmune Diseases (Connective Tissue Disorders) Infectious Diseases Diseases of the Liver, Gallbladder or Biliary Tract Haematological Diseases Metabolic Diseases Multisystem and Extremes of Age Diseases of the Immune System Anxiety and Depression Anxiety disorders - Other / type not known Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Stress reaction disorders - Other / type not known Generalised anxiety disorder Phobia - Specific Phobia - Social Agoraphobia Panic disorder Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Anxiety and depressive disorders - mixed Conversion disorder (hysteria) Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) Dissociative disorders - Other / type not known Somatoform disorders - Other / type not known Depressive disorder Bipolar affective disorder (Hypomania / Mania) Mood disorders - Other / type not known Daily living component for PIP You might get the daily living component of PIP if you need help with: eating, drinking or preparing food washing, bathing, using the toilet, managing incontinence dressing and undressing talking, listening, reading and understanding managing your medicines or treatments making decisions about money mixing with other people How difficulty with tasks is assessed The DWP will assess how difficult you find daily living and mobility tasks. For each task, the DWP will look at: whether you can do it safely how long it takes you how often your condition affects this activity whether you need help to do it, from a person or using extra equipment The descriptors Your ability to carry out each activity is measured against a list of standard statements describing what you can or cannot do. These are known as the descriptors. The health professional will advise the DWP which descriptor applies to you for each activity. The Citizen's Advice website has a whole section dedicated to this along with a downloadable guide to all the points awarded for each response - you can view this here. An example they use is there are six descriptors for 'Dressing and undressing', ranging from 'Can dress and undress unaided' to 'Cannot dress or undress at all'. Each descriptor carries a points score ranging from 0 to 12. Using aids or appliances Your ability to carry out the daily living activities and the mobility activities will be assessed as if you were wearing or using any aids or appliances it would be reasonable for you to use. This applies whether or not you normally use those aids or appliances. However, if you use or need aids and appliances, this can help you to score more points - find out more here. Citizens Advice explains: 'An aid is any item which improves, provides or replaces impaired physical or mental function. It doesn't have to be specially designed as a disability aid. Examples include a stool you need to sit on when cooking, or a walking stick to help you stand.' Daily living scores Citizens Advice explains to get the daily living component of PIP, you must have a physical or mental condition that limits your ability to carry out some or all of the activities below. The maximum amount of PIP points that can be awarded for that question are shown. Daily living activity: Preparing food - 8 Taking medication - 10 Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition - 8 Washing and bathing - 8 Managing toilet needs or incontinence - 8 Dressing and undressing - 8 Communicating verbally - 12 Reading and understanding symbols and words - 8 Engaging with other people face to face - 8 Making budgeting decisions - 6 Points and payment rates After answering all the daily living activity questions: If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP After answering all the mobility activity questions: If you get between 8 and 11 points in total - you will be awarded the standard rate of PIP If you get at least 12 points in total - you will be awarded the enhanced rate of PIP The latest DWP figures show that at the end of April there were more than 3.7 million PIP claimants across England and Wales. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has previously said more than 1,000 PIP claims are being awarded per day, making the argument for welfare reforms to ensure the system is sustainable for the future. The proposed changes will come into force in November 2026, subject to parliamentary approval. Reforms also include increasing the number of face-to-face assessments. At present, most are being conducted remotely over the phone, by video call, or paper-based. However, there will be no freeze on PIP payments, which will continue to be non-means-tested, and rise in-line with the September inflation rate. There will be no changes to the mobility component. You can complete the UK Government's consultation on proposed changes to PIP and the benefits system until 11.59pm on June 30, on here.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ministers step up efforts to quell growing rebellion over UK welfare bill
The government is intensifying efforts to quell a growing rebellion over welfare cuts, with whips stepping up contact with MPs and strategists drawing up plans for a cabinet reshuffle in case of resignations. Ministers are taking a carrot-and-stick approach by laying out extra support for people who face losing their benefits, while also warning mutinous MPs of the consequences of voting against the plans. Several MPs said that whips were strengthening efforts to bring them into line after Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, sought to ease concerns by promising extra protections for vulnerable people. Some MPs say there have been suggestions that the vote on cuts could be treated as a confidence issue, with those rebelling facing suspension from the whip or even deselection. No 10 and government sources strongly denied this. A senior government source said plans were being drawn up for new ministerial appointments in case any frontbenchers resign to vote against the cuts. No 10 is said to be keen on rewarding new MPs who have made an impression since the general election a year ago. The government plans to introduce a bill next week that will contain its welfare changes – including controversial cuts to disability benefits. Government figures say that concessions by Kendall this week have won over some would-be rebels. The Guardian reported Kendall would put 'non-negotiable' protections for the most vulnerable benefits recipients in the legislation. Under the changes, people with less than 12 months to live and those with lifelong conditions would automatically get a higher rate of universal credit and would be exempt from reassessments, which usually take place every three years. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people who will no longer qualify for personal independence payments (Pip) under the changes will continue to receive payments for 13 weeks, instead of the usual four. But some MPs are unmoved by the changes. One senior Labour backbencher said: 'This so-called olive branch is completely meaningless and won't have persuaded a single Labour MP, many of whom are really concerned for the impact on disabled people in their constituencies. These reforms were rushed through with no proper impact assessment and the government has to go back to the drawing board.' The government's proposed cuts to Pip, a benefit intended to help disabled people with their quality of life and unconnected to employment, have caused uproar in the parliamentary Labour party. About 170 Labour MPs are said to have communicated their concerns to the government. Government sources say the number of prospective rebels has fallen as a result of Kendall's concessions as well as ministers' openness to scrapping the two-child benefit cap and the Conservatives' decision to vote against the bill. Under the proposed changes, claimants would qualify for Pip only if they score a minimum of four points on a single daily living activity. Assessments score from 0 to 12 the difficulty that claimants face in a range of living activities such as preparing and eating food, communicating, washing and getting dressed. More than 370,000 people stand to lose their payments, while another 430,000 who would have qualified would no longer be eligible. On average these people will lose £4,500 a year. The government has argued the welfare system needs dramatic reform, with 1,000 new people a day making claims. Even with the cuts, Pip payments will continue to rise: an extra 750,000 people will receive payments by the end of this parliament.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ministers to offer olive branch on welfare plans to avert Labour rebellion
Ministers are to offer mutinous Labour MPs an olive branch on the government's welfare plans to help avert a major rebellion in a crucial vote early next month. Liz Kendall, the welfare secretary, wants to reassure angry MPs who have threatened to rebel over fears that sick and disabled people will be hardest hit. The Guardian has been told she will put 'non-negotiable' protections for the most vulnerable benefits recipients on the face of the welfare reform bill when it is published next week, providing additional support to those with the most severe conditions who will never work. But with Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, ruling out a U-turn on disability benefit cuts and government aides insisting there will be no substantial change to the bill, it is unclear whether the tweaks will be enough to prevent a rebellion that could even risk a defeat. Labour MPs are demanding big changes to the proposals first put forward in March in the welfare green paper, including a rethink on eligibility for personal independence payments (Pip) for disabled people and benefits for carers. Kendall's plans to save £5bn a year by overhauling the welfare system, including by cutting Pip, triggered alarm among Labour MPs, with experts warning that up to 1.2 million people with disabilities are expected to lose thousands of pounds a year. With an extra 250,000 people falling into relative poverty by 2029-30, according to the government's own impact assessment, ministers are braced for their biggest rebellion yet, with as many as 170 MPs saying they could vote against the plans. After a consultation on the biggest shake-up of Britain's welfare system since universal credit was introduced more than a decade ago, and discussions with multiple MPs, Kendall is now offering a series of modifications to help alleviate concerns. Hundreds of thousands of people who will no longer qualify for Pip, which is intended to help with their quality of life and is not connected to employment, will continue to receive payments for 13 weeks, a more generous transition than the four-week period more usually adopted by government. During this time they will receive support for health, care and employment needs. Carer's allowance will be protected throughout this period but will end when Pip is withdrawn. The sickest benefit recipients with less than 12 months to live and those with lifelong, often progressive and incurable conditions will automatically get a higher rate of universal credit and will not have to go through reassessments, which take place on average every three years. The new 'right to work' scheme for those on health and disability benefits, previously announced by Kendall, will be introduced at the same time as the bill so welfare recipients can try to return to work without risking losing their entitlements. Kendall told the Guardian: 'When we set out our reforms we promised to protect those most in need, particularly those who can never work. I know from my 15 years as a constituency MP how important this is. It is something I take seriously and will never compromise on. 'That is why we are putting additional protections on the face of the bill to support the most vulnerable and help people affected by the changes. These protections will be written into law – a clear sign they are non-negotiable.' While Reeves insisted she would not be rethinking her decision on disability benefit cuts on Thursday, despite speculation that the government could soften its stance, she said she was 'taking into account' representations from Labour MPs. Pressed by the BBC on whether she would change her mind, Reeves said: 'No, we're not going to be changing that. It is important that we reform the way the welfare state works so that there is a welfare state there for people. 'We are the only developed country where the number of people in the labour market is lower than it was before Covid, the number of economically inactive people of working age is rising.' But she added: 'We've already announced that we are reviewing the criteria for accessing Pip. Even with these changes, we will substantially be increasing the amount of money we are paying in sickness and disability benefits during the course of this parliament.' Under the changes already announced, claimants would not qualify for Pip unless they score a minimum of four points on a single daily living activity. Government sources have ruled out any further changes to the assessment criteria. Assessments score from 0 to 12 the difficulty that claimants face in a range of living activities such as preparing and eating food, communicating, washing and getting dressed. Just over 370,000 people who claim Pip will lose the payments, while another 430,000 who would have become eligible in the future will not now get it. On average these people will lose £4,500 a year. The government has argued the welfare system needs dramatic reform as 1,000 people a day are newly claiming benefits. Even with the cuts, it will still be spending more on Pip, with an extra 750,000 people receiving payments by the end of this parliament. As part of the measures, the Department for Work and Pensions will spend up to £1bn a year extra on helping people back into jobs. About 170 MPs, including some loyalists, are understood to be preparing to rebel by either voting against the government on changes to eligibility for Pip payments or abstaining. One Labour MP suggested that making small changes to the plans would not be enough to win over sceptics. 'Small tweaks here and there won't be enough. As long as the welfare reforms punish the most vulnerable, they'll face opposition,' they said. A government source suggested the numbers were starting to fall after Kemi Badenoch said the Tories would oppose the plans. 'The idea of voting against the government becomes more difficult for people if it means walking through the lobbies with the Tories,' they said. Labour whips have suggested that the expansion of free school meals last week and indications from senior ministers that they were open to lifting the two-child benefit cap was also helping to reassure concerned MPs.
The Independent
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Rebel MPs hit back at Starmer after suspension threat over benefits cuts vote
Labour MPs are preparing for a significant rebellion against Sir Keir Starmer's proposed £5bn benefit cuts, which include changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) affecting up to 800,000 people. Party whips have warned backbenchers who vote against or abstain on the measures face severe consequences, including potential suspension or being blacklisted from future government roles. Despite threats, around 50 Labour MPs are expected to vote against the bill, with many more planning to abstain, viewing the proposed cuts as "unprecedented" and "authoritarian." Charities like Sense and Mind have strongly criticised the reforms, warning they will push disabled people further into poverty and hardship, calling the cuts "horrendous" and "harmful." Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall defended the reforms, stating they are crucial for the social security system's sustainability and represent a "new social contract."
The Herald Scotland
21 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
This is why Scottish Labour MPs were tense in Westminster
Westminster is known for its intense energy with late night and lively debates. But as Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall unveiled the draft Bill that could save £7 billion from the benefits budget, the pressure was even higher. Kendall's plans restricts personal independence payments (PIP) for thousands of people, with impact assessments from the DWP suggesting 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – could be pushed into poverty by the reforms. Rebellions are widely expected, with discontent growing amongst the Labour party. In Westminster Hall on Wednesday, hours before Kendall unveiled the Bill, it would be an understatement to suggest Scottish Labour MPs were on edge. Read more Unspun: They had come to meet poverty campaigners from Trussell Trust, from constituencies all across Scotland, who were warning food bank use was worse than ever – and would soar if the welfare changes progressed. I spoke to around 15 of Scotland's Labour MPs in the early afternoon and every single one had been reluctant to mention the welfare plans. Several completely refused to speak about the policy, while those that did mostly towed the party line, stressing the current welfare system was broken – a line that followed from the UK Government hours later when the Bill was published. While the Bill in its entirety had only been published on Wednesday, the headline changes have been known for months, but Labour MPs warned they could not speak about any aspect of welfare reform until they had seen the paper. Those who did speak on the record were mixed, but the vast majority that I had spoken to across the day mentioned 'concerns' around the Bill – though were not planning to make those concerns public yet. Scottish Labour MPs were on tenterhooks, waiting to find out whether they will lose the party whip for voting against the UK Government's controversial welfare cuts. They have an almighty choice in front of them: vote against the UK Government's controversial welfare reforms and face the wrath of senior party officials, or vote for the cuts and face fury from the voters who elected them to Westminster in the first place. Labour suspended seven MPs for six months last year for voting against the government, urging senior figures to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Now it could happen again. It has also been reported by The Times that anyone who abstains from the vote could be 'blacklisted' from promotion. Starmer has a working majority of 165, meaning 83 Labour MPs would have to rebel for the party to lose the vote. But 42 Labour MPs have already publicly warned the proposals are the 'biggest attack' on the welfare state since Tory austerity, and there are others weighing up their options. Labour cannot afford such a big challenge to their authority. But for Scottish Labour MPs, the challenge is immense. Scottish Labour MPs need to decide whether they are willing to risk losing loyal constituents for the appearance of party loyalty.
