Latest news with #PIP
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
DWP free bus passes in England and full list of everyone eligible
Amid controversial plans to cut disability benefits, many Brits are worried they'll lose their free bus pass. However, reports suggest millions may still be entitled to the perk Millions of Brits may still be eligible for a free bus pass, even if controversial cuts to disability benefits passes through parliament. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which has been described as 'catastrophic' by charities, aims to slash a staggering £5 billion from the welfare bill by 2030. Dozens of Labour MPs are poised to rebel against the brutal cuts when the bill is put to the vote in the coming weeks. However, even if these changes to disability benefit eligibility become law - many Brits could still benefit from free travel. According to Chronicle Live, the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, which is dependent on disability benefit eligibility, could continue to offer free bus passes to those who have lost their benefit claim under new Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rules. READ MORE: Warm Home Discount explained as 2.7million households set for £150 energy help Following concerns that swathes of disabled people risk losing their right to a free bus pass amid the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) shakeup, reports suggest the wording of the Green Paper proposals implies that even if you lose your PIP, you might still be eligible for the concessionary travel scheme pass. Eligibility for the disabled concessionary travel scheme, offering free bus rides across England, traditionally hinges on PIP criteria. If you're eligible for the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP due to mobility issues, you're eligible for a pass even if you don't receive any payment from it. Other routes to a cost-free travel card include being of State Pension age, being a caregiver, or falling under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme banner. For those with disabilities, snagging a pass spells savings, benefits cuts notwithstanding. Grounds for a free travel pass also include being over State Pension age, a carer, or qualifying under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme. Applying as a disabled person is a cost-saving measure, even if benefits are cut. Eligibility for a reduced cost or free travel pass includes:. An older person who has reached their 66th birthday (current state pension age) Someone with a learning, speech, visual or physical disability under pensionable age A carer companion to someone who couldn't travel without your help Qualify under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme For disability qualification, you must have had a PIP assessment and show evidence of receiving the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP, or have scored at least eight points in "moving around" or "communicating verbally", reports Chronicle Live. Alternatively, presenting the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance can support your application. If you want to qualify as a disabled person for the scheme, you will still need to meet strict criteria. This includes being: chronically sick and disabled and suffering from any disability which permanently and seriously impairs your ability to walk permanently blind and unable to perform any duties for which sight is required assessed as having learning disabilities registered as profoundly deaf, with or without speech without the use of both arms, whether through the absence of limbs or otherwise unable to drive having had a driving license refused or revoked on medical grounds registered as partially sighted (where disability can be assessed by a Consultant Ophthalmologist) As previously reported, Londoners are also entitled to free travel when they turn 60 - using the 60+ London Oyster photocard. This is restricted to journeys within the city and includes: Free travel on bus, Tube, tram, DLR, London Overground, Elizabeth line (excluding between West Drayton and Reading) and most National Rail services in London. You can travel free on TfL services anytime Monday to Friday, except between 04:30-09:00. You can travel free anytime at weekends and on bank holidays. Discounted fares on River on Santander Cycle Hire.
ITV News
8 hours ago
- Business
- ITV News
Labour whip resigns over government's proposed welfare cuts
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a government whip over the party's welfare proposals, saying that she could not vote 'for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances'. In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the MP for Lewisham North said: "I absolutely understand the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times. "But I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work. "I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution." Foxcroft said it had been an 'honour' to serve in the government and had "wrestled" over whether to "resign or remain in the government and fight for change from within". "Sadly it is now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see," she added.'I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances." Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who lost the Labour whip last year, posted on X: 'Vicky Foxcroft worked really hard as the shadow minister for the disabled & as a result will have a thorough understanding of the implications of the benefit cuts on disabled people. I fully respect her for the decision she has taken.' Starmer has faced a backlash from some Labour MPs over proposals to reform the welfare system, expected to save up to £5 billion a year. The government's proposals – aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work – are set to include the tightening of criteria for personal independence payment (Pip), which is the main disability benefit. They also include a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over. Ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbench Labour MPs over their plans, with dozens of them last month saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. The legislation, known as the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday. MPs will debate a second reading of the bill on July 1.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Blow for Keir Starmer as Labour frontbencher quits over disability benefit cuts
Vicky Foxcroft said "with a heavy heart" she would be giving up her role as a government whip, saying changes she'd wanted to see made to the welfare reform had not happened. Keir Starmer has suffered a blow as a frontbencher quit in protest over planned cuts to disability benefits. Vicky Foxcroft said "with a heavy heart" she would be giving up her role as a government whip, saying changes she'd wanted to see made to the welfare reform had not happened. "I absolutely understand the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times," Ms Foxcroft wrote in her letter of resignation. "But I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work." She went on: "I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution." Government whips are in charge of morale and discipline. It would have been Ms Foxcroft's role to convince wavering Labour MPs to back rhe bill and corral them through the voting lobbies. She added: "I have wrestled with whether I should resign or remain in the Government and fight for change from within. Sadly it is now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see. "I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip - or indeed vote - for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances." Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall argued she was taking "the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity" as she sought to soften the impact by introducing a 13-week transition period so existing claimants avoid a cliff edge. But campaigners said the last-minute changes to the plans would do little to mitigate the devastating impact. Around 3.2 million families could be hit by the overall reforms by 2030, with an average loss of £1,720 per year, according to the Government's analysis in March. The document said estimates did not include the impact of the £1 billion employment support package "which we expect to mitigate the poverty impact". Around 800,000 people are expected to be impacted by PIP changes, including 370,000 current claimants and 430,000 future recipients, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. The tightening of eligibility will mean those who can't wash half of their body or cook a meal unaided no longer qualify for the daily living element - unless they have another condition. The UC health element, which is claimed by more than two million people, will be frozen at £97 a week for existing claimants until 2029/30, and reduced to £50 a week for new claimants from 2026/27.
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Government whip resigns as she slams Labour's welfare reforms and their impact on disabled people
A GOVERNMENT whip has resigned as she slammed Labour's welfare reforms. MP Vicky Foxcroft has stepped back from her role over the party's controversial proposals. 3 3 3 She wrote in a letter to Prime Minister Keir Starmer she could not vote "for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances". The former whip said: "I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution. "I have wrestled with whether I should resign or remain in the Government and fight for change from within. "Sadly it is now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see. "I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip - or indeed vote - for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances. "I am incredibly proud to have served as part of the first Labour government in 14 years and hope that ministers will revisit these reforms so that I can continue to support the Government in delivering for the people of this country." This comes as a record 3.74 million people are now claiming disability benefits - with teenagers and young adults fuelling the rise, shock new figures reveal. The number of people on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has shot up by 200,000 in a year, according to official data. It's up from 3.54 million in April last year and nearly double the 2.05 million on the books in 2019. Young claimants are also climbing fast, with 16 to 19-year-olds now making up 16.5 per cent of all PIP cases - up from 14.6 per cent in 2019. There has been a similar rise for the 30-44 age group, which accounted for 21.0 per cent in April this year, up from 18.9 per cent in April 2019. By contrast, 45-59 year-olds made up 29.9 per cent of claimants in April, down from 37.2 per cent in 2019. The figure for 60-74 year-olds has risen slightly over this period, from 29.3% to 30.8 per cent. The damning figures come as Sir Keir Starmer is standing firm in the face of a growing rebellion over his plans to tighten the eligibility for PIP. Dozens of Labour MPs have already warned the plans are 'impossible to support' – claiming the changes risk hitting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people. The reforms will see tougher rules brought in for new and existing claimants, with ministers hoping to slash £5 billion a year from the ballooning disability benefits bill. It's understood that up to 800,000 people could lose access to PIP under the proposed changes, which are aimed at cutting back on awards linked to mental health conditions and other 'less visible' illnesses. It was reported in recent days that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has agreed to include 'non-negotiable' protections in the Bill – including a 13-week grace period for people who no longer qualify, instead of payments stopping after just four weeks. The move is seen as an attempt to head off a Labour rebellion, but one MP dismissed it as 'not very much really'. Speaking at the weekend, the PM made clear his intention to push ahead with the reforms. Asked whether there would be further concessions, Sir Keir said: 'Well we have got to get the reforms through and I have been clear about that from start to finish. 'The system is not working, it's not working for those that need support, it's not working for taxpayers. 'Everybody agrees it needs reform, we have got to reform it and that is what we intend to do.' is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
The Independent
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Labour whip quits over Starmer's benefits cuts
Keir Starmer has suffered a blow after one of his frontbench team resigned, saying she could not back cuts that will hit disabled people. Vicky Foxcroft dramatically quit as a government whip and called on the prime minister to 'support more disabled people into work' instead. In a letter to the prime minister, she said she could not vote "for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances'. She added: 'With a heavy heart, I have written to the prime minister to tender my resignation as a whip. Whilst I will continue to support the government in delivering the change the country so desperately needs, I cannot vote in favour of the proposed reforms to disability benefits.' She said that she understood 'the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times, but I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work. I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution.'
