Latest news with #SimonOpher
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
13-week PIP transition period due to be confirmed
Details about how recipients will be transitioned to the new criteria for PIP is slowly being revealed An MP has shed light on the government's Green Paper proposals for Welfare Reform, with the Department for Work and Pensions poised to unveil further details about the Welfare Reform Bill, including a "transitional period". This interim phase is designed to for people set to lose their Personal Independence Payments due to the reforms. Dr Simon Opher, a GP and the MP for Stroud, disclosed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, as reported by Daily Record, that a transitional phase will be introduced, allowing recipients to continue receiving payments for 13 weeks before their benefit is terminated. This means that those affected by the benefit cuts will still receive their entitlements for 13 weeks beyond the initial cut-off date, offering them time to prepare and budget for the end of their benefits. Carers, who are at risk of losing their Carer's Allowance when the person they care for loses PIP, will also continue to receive their allowance throughout the 13-week transition, until the PIP award ends. Dr Opher expressed his intention "to rebel" against these proposals in an imminent vote, marking the first occasion he plans to oppose the Government. He indicated that several of his colleagues are contemplating similar actions. He acknowledged that the proposed transitional period has been extended from an initial four weeks. But he remains critical of the planned changes, describing it as nothing more than "a slight delay in the disability cuts". Explaining further, he added "It doesn't change the basic fact that they're planning to cut disability payments to quite a lot of people really. So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least." Since Liz Kendall confirmed the reform in March, there's been widespread outcry from MPs, disability charities, and PIP recipients against the upcoming changes set for November 2026. The Green Paper has launched a consultation period, urging the public to contribute their opinions on the undecided aspects of these reforms, pivotal among them being how benefits will be transitionally protected for those affected. In a bid to reduce costs while maintaining support through PIP for future claimants, the Government aims to save £5 billion each year by the end of this decade. Government impact assessments have indicated that approximately 250,000 people, 50,000 of whom are children throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, are at risk of slipping into relative poverty after housing expenses as a result of these policy shifts. This reformation will influence new applicants and current recipients undergoing reassessment for the daily living component of PIP. Under the new rules, claimants need to accumulate four points in any one of the categories to qualify during the assessment process. The assessments comprise ten categories with scoring based on the type of help, supervision, or equipment individuals necessitate to perform activities promptly, effectively, and safely. For instance, being able to prepare and cook a simple meal unaided is worth no points. But if you cannot prepare or cook food at all you could score up to eight points in that category. The reform proposes several other changes including:. Ending reassessments for disabled individuals who will never be able to work Abolishing the Work Capability Assessment Offering improved employment support to eliminate the barriers preventing disabled people from working Introducing legislation to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
DWP due to confirm 13-week PIP transition period for people losing payments after reforms next year
Carer's Allowance will continue to be paid during the 13-week transition, but will end when PIP is taken away. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is due to publish the Welfare Reform Bill this week which reportedly contains details of a 'transitional period' of payments for people on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) who no longer qualify for the disability benefit once changes are implemented. Dr Simon Opher, a GP and the MP for Stroud, told the BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday that anybody who loses PIP will receive the payment for a transitional period of 13 weeks, before it is removed. He also said Carer's Allowance will continue to be paid during the 13-week transition, but will end when PIP is taken away. Dr Opher told the BBC he is 'going to rebel' in a vote and 'a number of colleagues are in the same situation'. He said: 'It's a slight delay in the disability cuts - it's 13 weeks rather than four weeks - so it's something, but not very much really. 'And it doesn't change the basic fact that they're planning to cut disability payments to quite a lot of people really. So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least.' The UK Government has faced a backlash from its own MPs over the package of measures, aimed at reducing the number of working age people on sickness and disability benefits. There are currently 3.7m people across Great Britain in claim for PIP, however, the UK Government expects that figure to rise to 4m by the end of the decade. Last month, dozens of Labour MPs urged the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Asked whether he would rebel if the measures came to a vote in the Commons, Dr Opher told the programme: 'I am going to rebel. 'And this comes hard to me, I've never actually voted against the Government and I know a number of colleagues in the same situation. 'So I just urge the Government really to just consider parts of this again.' A Green Paper laid out proposals for a 'transitional protection for those who are no longer eligible for PIP', but the UK Government's plans revealed this week clarify the 13-week length. Ms Kendall told The Guardian last week: '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 UK Government hopes the reforms will save £5 billion a year by 2030 and safeguard the future of PIP for future generations. A UK Government impact assessment published alongside the reforms estimated that 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, across England, Scotland and Wales could fall into relative poverty after housing costs as a result of the changes. Proposed PIP changes and online consultation Proposed package of reforms to overhaul the welfare system, include: Ending reassessments for disabled people who will never be able to work and people with lifelong conditions to ensure they can live with dignity and security. Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment to end the process that drives people into dependency, delivering on the UK Government's manifesto commitment to reform or replace it. Providing improved employment support backed by £1 billion including new tailored support conversations for people on health and disability benefits to break down barriers and unlock work. Legislating to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work. To ensure the welfare system is available for those with the greatest needs now and in the future, the UK Government has made decisions to improve its sustainability and protect those who need it most. These include: Reintroducing reassessments for people on incapacity benefits who have the capability to work to ensure they have the right support and are not written off. Targeting PIP for those with higher needs by changing the eligibility requirement to a minimum score of four on at least one of the daily living activities to receive the daily living element of the benefit, in addition to the existing eligibility criteria. Rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit to improve the Standard Allowance. Consulting on delaying access to the health element of Universal Credit until someone is aged 22 and reinvesting savings into work support and training opportunities through the Youth Guarantee. DWP also launched an online consultation on the new proposals to coincide with the publication of the Green paper. The consultation can be completed by anyone and is open until June 30, 2025 - you can find full details on here. It's important to be aware that the proposed reforms announced by the DWP will not directly affect disability claimants in Scotland currently claiming devolved health-related benefits - unless funding for the Scottish Government is impacted by planned changes by Westminster.
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
'A lot of people' to get DWP benefit cuts with 13-week rule coming
Dr Simon Opher, a GP and Labour MP for Stroud, said the protections were 'not very much really' A Labour MP has bluntly downplayed the Government's tactics to calm a revolt over welfare reductions, branding them as "not very much really". Dr Simon Opher, a GP and the MP for Stroud, told the BBC he's set to defy the party line in an impending vote, revealing that "a number of colleagues are in the same situation". Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to enforce "non-negotiable" safeguards into the Welfare Reform Bill, such as assuring those removed from personal independence payments (Pip) will continue receiving support for an extended period of 13 weeks. On BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday, Dr Opher highlighted the reality behind the changes: "It's a slight delay in the disability cuts – it's 13 weeks rather than four weeks – so it's something, but not very much really. "And it doesn't change the basic fact that they're... planning to cut disability payment to quite a lot of people really. So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least." The Government has encountered criticism from members of its own party regarding the proposed reforms intended to diminish the figure of working age people receiving sickness benefits. Only last month, a group of Labour MPs beseeched the Prime Minister to halt and re-evaluate the impending reductions, labelling the plans as "impossible to support". Asked about his stance on the upcoming vote in the Commons, Dr Opher told the programme: "I am going to rebel. And this comes hard to me, I've never actually voted against the Government and I know a number of colleagues in the same situation. So I just urge the Government really to just consider parts of this again." A Green Paper had initially introduced suggestions for a "transitional protection for those who are no longer eligible for Pip", yet the recent disclosures from the Government have now confirmed the duration as 13 weeks. Ms Kendall had previously 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." The Government's own impact assessment released with the reform cautions that due to the alterations, approximately 250,000 individuals, which includes around 50,000 children throughout England, Scotland, and Wales might end up experiencing relative poverty post housing costs.
Leader Live
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Government plan to keep Pip payouts for 13 weeks ‘not very much', says MP
Dr Simon Opher, a GP and the MP for Stroud, told the BBC he is 'going to rebel' in a vote and 'a number of colleagues are in the same situation'. The 'non-negotiable' protections that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is to include in the Welfare Reform Bill are understood to include a guarantee that those who no longer qualify for personal independence payments (Pip) will still receive the payments for 13 weeks. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday, Dr Opher said: 'It's a slight delay in the disability cuts – it's 13 weeks rather than four weeks – so it's something, but not very much really. 'And it doesn't change the basic fact that they're… planning to cut disability payment to quite a lot of people really. 'So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least.' The Government has faced a backlash from its own MPs over the package of measures, aimed at reducing the number of working age people on sickness benefits. Dozens of Labour MPs last month urged the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Asked whether he would rebel if the measures came to a vote in the Commons, Dr Opher told the programme: 'I am going to rebel. 'And this comes hard to me, I've never actually voted against the Government and I know a number of colleagues in the same situation. 'So I just urge the Government really to just consider parts of this again.' A Green Paper laid out proposals for a 'transitional protection for those who are no longer eligible for Pip', but the Government's plans revealed this week clarify the 13-week length. Ms Kendall told The Guardian earlier this week: '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.' A Government impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned that 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, across England, Scotland and Wales could fall into relative poverty after housing costs as a result of the changes.
Belfast Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Government plan to keep Pip payouts for 13 weeks ‘not very much', says MP
Dr Simon Opher, a GP and the MP for Stroud, told the BBC he is 'going to rebel' in a vote and 'a number of colleagues are in the same situation'. The 'non-negotiable' protections that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is to include in the Welfare Reform Bill are understood to include a guarantee that those who no longer qualify for personal independence payments (Pip) will still receive the payments for 13 weeks. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday, Dr Opher said: 'It's a slight delay in the disability cuts – it's 13 weeks rather than four weeks – so it's something, but not very much really. 'And it doesn't change the basic fact that they're… planning to cut disability payment to quite a lot of people really. 'So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least.' The Government has faced a backlash from its own MPs over the package of measures, aimed at reducing the number of working age people on sickness benefits. Dozens of Labour MPs last month urged the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Asked whether he would rebel if the measures came to a vote in the Commons, Dr Opher told the programme: 'I am going to rebel. 'And this comes hard to me, I've never actually voted against the Government and I know a number of colleagues in the same situation. 'So I just urge the Government really to just consider parts of this again.' A Green Paper laid out proposals for a 'transitional protection for those who are no longer eligible for Pip', but the Government's plans revealed this week clarify the 13-week length. Ms Kendall told The Guardian earlier this week: '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.' A Government impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned that 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, across England, Scotland and Wales could fall into relative poverty after housing costs as a result of the changes.
