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Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Council slams 'misconceived' PIP cuts that will see thousands lose out
Council slams 'misconceived' PIP cuts that will see thousands lose out Members said they could have a disproportionate impact on Wales, particularly in deprived areas Civic Square in Port Talbot (Image: Lewis Smith ) Neath Port Talbot Council has backed a motion raising concerns and opposition to proposed reforms to the benefits system put forward by the UK Government. The benefit changes could see the tightening of qualification rules for Personal Independence Payments which the local authority feels could have a "detrimental impact" on the most vulnerable in its communities. The discussions came at a full council meeting in June of 2025, where members said moves to cut welfare could have a disproportionate impact on Wales, particularly in deprived areas such as Neath Port Talbot, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent. Speaking at the meeting, the leader of the council Steve Hunt said he would now write to both the Welsh and UK Government to ask that they "reassess the Welfare Reform Act and conduct a comprehensive review of the proposed changes with a focus on understanding their implications on vulnerable populations, especially in Wales." He said: "Whilst its intention is to streamline welfare offering and address physical consideration, an unintended consequence is the potential for increasing hardship amongst the most disadvantaged members of society. "These effects may undermine the social safety net essential for ensuring a minimum standard of living, particularly for individuals who are unable to support themselves due to various socio-economic or health-related challenges." Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Deputy leader, councillor Alun Llewelyn of Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera, seconded the motion adding that a re- assessment and review were urgently needed. He said: "It is clear that this legislation is misconceived. "As the motion states, the intention may be to streamline welfare, but its unintended consequence will be to plunge hundreds of thousands of people in Wales deeper into poverty, and a re- assessment and review are urgently needed." Councillor Sonia Reynolds of the Neath Port Talbot Labour group said they had written to the Prime Minister to ask him to reconsider his stance on welfare benefits cuts and look for alternative solutions. She added that the impact of reductions could be particularly severe in places like Neath Port Talbot, citing figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which suggested 24% of people in Wales currently live in poverty. Article continues below The motion was later approved unanimously by members, with an amendment that would also see the authority formally respond to the UK Governments Pathways to Work green paper which is open for consultation until June 30, 2025. This consultation discusses proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support, with a focus on getting more people into work.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Minister to soften disability benefits shake-up
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is making changes to her package of welfare reforms in an attempt to reassure Labour MPs who are considering rebelling against the plans. Kendall has tried to soften the impact of planned benefits cuts worth £5bn a year by 2030 before MPs vote on the government's welfare changes. The welfare reform bill will include proposals to make it harder for disabled people with less severe conditions to claim personal independence payment (Pip). The BBC has been told anybody who loses Pip will receive the payment for a transitional period of 13 weeks, rather than the usual four weeks, before it is removed. Carer's allowance will continue to be paid during the 13-week transition, but will be ended when Pip is taken away. Benefits recipients with the most severe health conditions will not be reassessed and will receive extra income support through a universal credit payment. A scheme to give disabled people a right to try employment without the risk of losing their benefits will also be introduced at the same time as the welfare reform bill. Kendall has described these additions as "non-negotiable" protections, which will be added to the bill before it is published next week. The protections were proposed in the government's Pathways to Work green paper and consulted on before Kendall decided to add them to the bill. Kendall told the Guardian newspaper: "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." The BBC understands the protections had been raised in discussions between ministers, Labour MPs and disability rights groups. Dozens of Labour MPs have expressed concerns about the plans to cut Pip payments and the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC). Many have said they are prepared to vote against the primary legislation the government needs to pass to make the changes to welfare payments. The welfare package as a whole could push an extra 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative poverty, according to the government's impact assessment. Neil Duncan-Jordan is one of 42 Labour MPs who wrote a letter that said the welfare reforms were "impossible to support" if changes were not made. When asked what he made of the protections Kendall had added to the bill, Duncan-Jordan said: "Poverty delayed is still poverty." Another discontented Labour MP, Ian Byrne, said: "After 14 weeks do the disabled and sick affected miraculously end the need for the vital assistance being taken away? An absolute nonsense." And Labour MP Rachael Maskell said Kendall had "just restated the proposals in Pathways to Work with a three-month transition before people lose their support". She added: "It will therefore not change the material facts nor my intention to vote against." Another Labour MP said the added protections will not stop dozens of his colleagues from opposing the bill. "The whips are pushing very hard with MPs but it's not working," the Labour MP said. But one supportive Labour MP said Kendall's protections sounded sensible. Some Labour MPs used the government's U-turn on winter fuel payments to renew their calls for the planned benefit cuts to be reversed. But on Thursday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government would not row back on the cuts. "We're not going to be changing that," she told the BBC. "It is important that we reform the way the welfare state works." The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says it expects 3.2 million families – a mixture of current and future recipients - to lose out financially, as a result of the total package of measures, with an average loss of £1,720 per year. This includes 370,000 current Pip recipients who will no longer qualify and 430,000 future claimants who will get less than they would previously have been entitled to. But ministers have stressed the figures do not factor in the government's plans to spend £1bn on helping the long-term sick and disabled back into work, or its efforts to reduce poverty. Ministers hope these efforts will boost employment among benefits recipients, at a time when 2.8 million people are economically inactive due to long-term sickness. If nothing changes, the health and disability benefits bill is forecast to reach £70bn a year by the end of the decade, a level of spending the government says is "unsustainable". The government is planning to put the welfare reforms in place by November 2026 and no one will lose out on benefits payments until that happens. Labour MPs call for action on benefits after winter fuel U-turn Starmer faces growing rebellion over welfare cuts Jittery Labour MPs divided over benefits cuts
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Disability benefits U-turn next after winter fuel payments
The £1.25 billion plan unveiled on Monday will see automatic payments worth up to £300 given to pensioners with an income less than £35,000 a year. It followed last year's decision to strip pensioners of the previously universal scheme, unless they claimed certain benefits, such as pension credit. Both policies have been unpopular at the polls, with Labour being hit hard in the local elections in May. The news of the winter fuel u-turn has been well-received so far, but many have said the initial decision has pushed voters away. Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, warned ministers they risked making a 'similar mistake' if they tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payments, known as Pip. "A U-turn on personal independence payments next?" "We'll have to see what happens going forward." Victoria Derbyshire presses Labour MP Jeevun Sandher on whether he wants to see a U-turn on the government's benefits policy.#Newsnight — BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) June 9, 2025 Leeds East MP Richard Burgon called on pensions minister Torsten Bell to 'listen now' so that backbenchers can help the Government 'get it right'. In her warning, Ms Whittome said she was not asking Mr Bell 'to keep the status quo or not to support people into work' and added: 'I'm simply asking him not to cut disabled people's benefits.' The pensions minister, who works in both the Treasury and Department for Work and Pensions, replied that the numbers of people receiving Pip is set to 'continue to grow every single year in the years ahead, after the changes set out by this Government'. What are the proposed cuts to DWP disability benefits - it is just Pip changes? The proposed reforms, set out earlier this year, would tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) – the main disability benefit in England – and see the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) cut. They also proposed delaying access to the health element of UC to those aged 22 and over, with the aim of reinvesting savings to support young people into work or training. The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the Government hopes they can save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. In its Pathways to Work green paper, the Government proposed a new eligibility requirement, so Pip claimants must score a minimum of four points on one daily living activity, such as preparing food, washing and bathing, using the toilet or reading, to receive the daily living element of the benefit. 'This means that people who only score the lowest points on each of the Pip daily living activities will lose their entitlement in future,' the document noted. Charities are also urging the government to rethink disability benefits cuts The Government is already under pressure over the controversial reforms, with Shelter and Crisis among the signatories to a letter to the Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, voicing concerns over the risks from her proposed changes to the benefits system. An impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – could fall into relative poverty as a result of the changes. Now a letter, co-ordinated by the St Mungo's homelessness charity, has stated the 'deep concern' organisations within the sector feel about the reforms. The letter stated that the reforms will 'push people further away from the labour market, increase homelessness and put excessive pressure on statutory services'. New @mmhpi research warns that government's planned PIP reforms will have a 'catastrophic impact' on people's finances and mental health, and could drive people out of the workplace. It says "A system which was already doing a poor job of understanding how mental health… — Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) June 5, 2025 They said increases in already record levels of homelessness 'will have a catastrophic impact on mental and physical health, education and employment opportunities' and have a 'domino effect of imposing a significant financial cost to the state' in paying for more temporary accommodation and emergency homelessness services. The charities added: 'Homelessness devastates people's chances of employment. These cuts and eligibility restrictions will not give people a pathway to work and we urge the Government to reconsider its position.' What have backbench Labour MPs said about the changes? Mr Burgon told the Commons: 'As a Labour MP who voted against the winter fuel payment cuts, I very much welcome this change in position, but can I urge the minister and the Government to learn the lessons of this and one of the lessons is, listen to backbenchers? 'If the minister and the Government listen to backbenchers, that can help the Government get it right, help the Government avoid getting it wrong, and so what we don't want is to be here in a year or two's time with a minister sent to the despatch box after not listening to backbenchers on disability benefit cuts, making another U-turn again.' Mr Bell replied that it was 'important to listen to backbenchers, to frontbenchers'. What have opposition MPs said about the changes? Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin warned that 'judging by the questions from his own backbenchers, it seems that we're going to have further U-turns on Pip and on the two-child benefit cap'. The Tunbridge Wells MP asked Mr Bell: 'To save his colleagues anguish, will he let us know now when those U-turns are coming?' The minister replied: 'What Labour MPs want to see is a Labour Government bringing down child poverty, and that's what we're going to do 'What Labour MPs want to see is a Government that can take the responsible decisions, including difficult ones on tax and on means testing the winter fuel payment so that we can invest in public services and turn around the disgrace that has become Britain's public realm for far too long.' Conservative former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey had earlier asked whether the Chancellor, 'now that she and the Government have got a taste for climbdowns', would 'reverse the equally ridiculous national insurance contribution (Nic) rises, which is destroying jobs, and the inheritance tax changes, which is destroying farms and family businesses'. Mr Bell said: 'This is a party opposite that has learned no lessons whatsoever, that thinks it can come to this chamber, call for more spending, oppose every tax rise and expect to ever be taken seriously again – they will not.' Could the two-child benefit cap also be due for change? Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey pressed the Government to make changes to the two-child benefit cap, which means most parents cannot claim for more than two children. 'It's the right thing to do to lift pensioners out of poverty, and I'm sure that both he and the Chancellor also agree that it's right to lift children out of poverty,' the Salford MP told the Commons. 'So can he reassure this House that he and the Chancellor are doing all they can to outline plans to lift the two-child cap on universal credit as soon as possible?' Recommended reading: Mr Bell replied: 'All levers to reduce child poverty are on the table. 'The child poverty strategy will be published in the autumn.' He added: 'If we look at who is struggling most, having to turn off their heating, it is actually younger families with children that are struggling with that. 'So she's absolutely right to raise this issue, it is one of the core purposes of this Government, we cannot carry on with a situation where large families, huge percentages of them, are in poverty.'
The Herald Scotland
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Glasgow DWP offices picketed by disability activists
Protestors expressed anger over the government's 'Pathways to Work' plan, which would change how disabled people access social security. The consultation, held between 1 and 4 PM, has been labelled a 'sham'. There has been anger over proposed cuts. (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco) A statement released by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) said: 'We are protesting because the consultation does not address the cuts which will have the most devastating effects and frames questions so they can only be answered positively. "This means they can tell Parliament the DWP consulted people who would be affected and no major issues were highlighted.' 'Among the elements not consulted on are changes to eligibility for PIP, combining assessments for PIP and the UC health element, and freezing the UC health element. The questions are worded so any answers must agree with the premise that some people must lose benefits. Security officers stood outside the building. (Image: Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco) 'Despite the DWP knowing how many people currently being supported will lose that support and how many people are claiming for specific conditions, this information is not provided. Consultees are expected to answer without knowing who will be affected.' A consultation in Cardiff was cancelled after the government became aware it was going to be protested, according to DPAC. The statement added: 'We should not be manipulated and used to legitimise a process which will lead to significant harm and, in all likelihood, deaths of disabled people.' Labour has blamed the previous government for a faulty benefits system they say is costing too much. In the forward to the green paper announcing the plan, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall wrote: 'We simply can't justify spending this much on a system which is failing on all counts – failing young people, failing disabled people and people with health conditions who need it, failing taxpayers and denying people the opportunities and support they need to get back to work. 'We must grasp the nettle and decisively reshape the benefits system towards being more proactive, more pro-work and sustainable.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Labour MPs in call for benefits U-turn after change to winter fuel payment cut
Labour backbenchers have called for a Government U-turn on planned disability benefit cuts, after Chancellor Rachel Reeves restored winter fuel payments to a majority of pensioners. Ms Reeves' £1.25 billion plan unveiled on Monday will see automatic payments worth up to £300 given to pensioners with an income less than £35,000 a year. It followed last year's decision to strip pensioners of the previously universal scheme, unless they claimed certain benefits, such as pension credit. Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, warned ministers they risked making a 'similar mistake' if they tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payments, known as Pip. Leeds East MP Richard Burgon called on pensions minister Torsten Bell to 'listen now' so that backbenchers can help the Government 'get it right'. In her warning, Ms Whittome said she was not asking Mr Bell 'to keep the status quo or not to support people into work' and added: 'I'm simply asking him not to cut disabled people's benefits.' The pensions minister, who works in both the Treasury and Department for Work and Pensions, replied that the numbers of people receiving Pip is set to 'continue to grow every single year in the years ahead, after the changes set out by this Government'. In its Pathways to Work green paper, the Government proposed a new eligibility requirement, so Pip claimants must score a minimum of four points on one daily living activity, such as preparing food, washing and bathing, using the toilet or reading, to receive the daily living element of the benefit. 'This means that people who only score the lowest points on each of the Pip daily living activities will lose their entitlement in future,' the document noted. Mr Burgon told the Commons: 'As a Labour MP who voted against the winter fuel payment cuts, I very much welcome this change in position, but can I urge the minister and the Government to learn the lessons of this and one of the lessons is, listen to backbenchers? 'If the minister and the Government listen to backbenchers, that can help the Government get it right, help the Government avoid getting it wrong, and so what we don't want is to be here in a year or two's time with a minister sent to the despatch box after not listening to backbenchers on disability benefit cuts, making another U-turn again.' Mr Bell replied that it was 'important to listen to backbenchers, to frontbenchers'. Opposition MPs cheered when the minister added: 'It's even important to listen to members opposite on occasion.' Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin warned that 'judging by the questions from his own backbenchers, it seems that we're going to have further U-turns on Pip and on the two-child benefit cap'. The Tunbridge Wells MP asked Mr Bell: 'To save his colleagues anguish, will he let us know now when those U-turns are coming?' The minister replied: 'What Labour MPs want to see is a Labour Government bringing down child poverty, and that's what we're going to do 'What Labour MPs want to see is a Government that can take the responsible decisions, including difficult ones on tax and on means testing the winter fuel payment so that we can invest in public services and turn around the disgrace that has become Britain's public realm for far too long.' Conservative former work and pensions secretary Esther McVey had earlier asked whether the Chancellor, 'now that she and the Government have got a taste for climbdowns', would 'reverse the equally ridiculous national insurance contribution (Nic) rises, which is destroying jobs, and the inheritance tax changes, which is destroying farms and family businesses'. Mr Bell said: 'This is a party opposite that has learned no lessons whatsoever, that thinks it can come to this chamber, call for more spending, oppose every tax rise and expect to ever be taken seriously again – they will not.' Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey pressed the Government to make changes to the two-child benefit cap, which means most parents cannot claim for more than two children. 'It's the right thing to do to lift pensioners out of poverty, and I'm sure that both he and the Chancellor also agree that it's right to lift children out of poverty,' the Salford MP told the Commons. 'So can he reassure this House that he and the Chancellor are doing all they can to outline plans to lift the two-child cap on universal credit as soon as possible?' Mr Bell replied: 'All levers to reduce child poverty are on the table. 'The child poverty strategy will be published in the autumn.' He added: 'If we look at who is struggling most, having to turn off their heating, it is actually younger families with children that are struggling with that. 'So she's absolutely right to raise this issue, it is one of the core purposes of this Government, we cannot carry on with a situation where large families, huge percentages of them, are in poverty.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
