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Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Major update on £450 a month benefit available to thousands of Scots
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE SCOTTISH Government has issued a major update on a £450 a month benefit that is available to thousands of adults. The Adult Disability Payment helps anyone who has a disability, terminal illness, or long-term health condition that affects their everyday life. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Ministers have shared a major update on the benefit Credit: Getty It is open to Scots aged between 16 and state pension age, and the payment is made up of two parts. These are daily living and mobility, and people may qualify for one or both parts. Scots may qualify for the daily living part if you need help with things like preparing food, taking nutrition (eating and drinking), managing therapy or monitoring a health condition and washing and bathing. While the mobility part refers to whether you need help with planning and following a journey or moving around. Depending on which parts you qualify for, you could get anywhere between £116.80 and £441.60 a month. But now, the SNP has vowed not to cut the payment as Labour announced plans to slash overall welfare payments. It comes as ministers look to cut the increasing welfare bill by clawing back billions of pounds of benefits. On Wednesday, the UK Government revealed its plans to slash benefits further in the House of Commons. The new plans will see changes made to a number of different benefits - including personal independence payment (PIP) and universal credit. The criteria for PIP is expected to become stricter, while those on UC will see the sickness-related element cut. Millions hit by benefit cuts as Rachel Reeves warns 'if you can work, you should work!' in bid to fix 'broken system' UC will also not be issued to anyone until they reach 22 years of age. Most Scots who claim sickness benefits do so through the Adult Disability Payment, which is devolved, rather than through PIP. But the cuts mean that there is likely to be less money available for Scottish benefits. However, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville promised that the Scottish Government "will not let disabled people down or cast them aside", according to the Daily Record. She said: "The reforms do not reflect the Scottish Government's values. "We will not let disabled people down or cast them aside as the UK Government has done. We will not cut Scotland's Adult Disability Payment. 'The UK Government should follow our lead and protect the social security safety system, rather than dismantling it. "If they do not, then disabled people can draw no other conclusion than the UK Government remain content to balance the books on the backs of the most vulnerable.' Ms Somerville also called the UK Government's plans "hugely damaging" to struggling adults, especially during the current cost of living crisis. Who can apply for Adult Disability Payment YOU must be between 16 and State Pension age to apply for this benefit. You may qualify for the daily living part if you need help with: preparing food taking nutrition (eating and drinking) managing therapy or monitoring a health condition washing and bathing managing toilet needs or incontinence dressing and undressing communicating verbally reading and understanding signs, symbols and words engaging socially with other people face to face making budgeting decisions You may qualify for the mobility part if you need help with planning and following a journey or moving around. Do not apply if you get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for adults. You would get these from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You can apply for Adult Disability Payment if you: live in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Gibraltar have spent a major part of your life in Scotland You need to apply for Adult Disability Payment even if you get Child Disability Payment. You can apply any time from when you are 15, soon to turn 16, until your 18th birthday. If your application is successful, you will not have any gaps between payments. Branding it a "damaging policy", she said, "I strongly urge them to scrap their harmful proposals." She added: "With around half of all children in poverty in Scotland living in a household with a disabled person, the changes threaten to undermine the progress that we are making to reduce child poverty, and the work of the UK Government's Child Poverty Taskforce. 'That the UK Government is prioritising deep cuts to disabled people's support is made even worse by their failure to abolish the two-child limit, which is estimated to have pushed more than 35,000 children into poverty since July last year." UK Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told the Daily Record: 'Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it. 'This legislation represents a new social contract and marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity. 'This will give people peace of mind, while also fixing our broken social security system so it supports those who can work to do so while protecting those who cannot – putting welfare spending on a more sustainable path to unlock growth as part of our Plan for Change.'
Rhyl Journal
a day ago
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Welfare reform legislation to be debated next month, MPs told
MPs are also expected to vote on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on July 1, when it receives its second reading in the Commons. The Government has faced backlash from some Labour MPs over the 'damaging disability benefit cuts', which it has said could save up to £5 billion a year. Ms Powell set the date for the Bill's second reading during business questions on Thursday. Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan has accused the Government of 'rushing through' the Bill, adding: 'This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbenchers over their plans, with dozens of Labour MPs last month saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. The reforms – 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, as well as a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the legislation 'marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity'. She added: 'Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it.' In what could be seen as an attempt to head off some opposition, the legislation will give existing claimants a 13-week period of financial support. The Department for Work and Pensions said this will apply to those affected by changes to the Pip daily living component, including those who lose their eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of UC. But campaigners, including disability equality charity Scope, said the longer transition period, up from an originally expected four weeks, 'will only temporarily delay a cut and disabled people will continue to be living with extra costs when it comes to an end'. As the Bill was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday, and the question was asked as to what the next date for debate will be, former Labour MP John McDonnell, who now sits as an independent for Hayes and Harlington, could be heard to say 'Never'. Mr Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, is one of the members who has urged ministers to withdraw the cuts, which he has argued will 'make things worse' for disabled people. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'It's clear the Government are rushing through this change before MPs have received all the necessary impact assessments that they need to make a decision. 'The Bill lays out how large numbers of disabled people are going to be made poorer. This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Earlier this week, Mr Duncan-Jordan had said: 'The Government will only withdraw its damaging disability benefit cuts if Labour MPs make clear they will vote against them. 'The so-called concessions that have been suggested are nowhere near enough to undo the damage that is being proposed. The facts are undeniable: these cuts won't create jobs, they'll only push three million people deeper into hardship.' The latest data, published on Tuesday, showed that more than 3.7 million people in England and Wales are claiming Pip, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. An impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's Bill introduction confirmed previously published estimates that changes to Pip entitlement rules could see about 800,000 people lose out, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. Ms Kendall previously said there are 1,000 new Pip awards every day – 'the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year'. The impact assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that some 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/2030, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Changes to UC are expected to see an estimated 2.25 million current recipients of the health element impacted, with an average loss of £500 per year. But the Government said around 3.9 million households not on the UC health element are expected to have an average annual gain of £265 from the increase in the standard UC allowance. While all of the Bill applies to England and Wales, only the UC changes apply to Scotland. The Government said there are equivalent provisions to legislate for Northern Ireland included in the Bill.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Welfare reform legislation to be debated next month, MPs told
MPs are also expected to vote on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on July 1, when it receives its second reading in the Commons. The Government has faced backlash from some Labour MPs over the 'damaging disability benefit cuts', which it has said could save up to £5 billion a year. Ms Powell set the date for the Bill's second reading during business questions on Thursday. Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan has accused the Government of 'rushing through' the Bill, adding: 'This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbenchers over their plans, with dozens of Labour MPs last month saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. The reforms – 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, as well as a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the legislation 'marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity'. She added: 'Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it.' In what could be seen as an attempt to head off some opposition, the legislation will give existing claimants a 13-week period of financial support. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall (Jacob King/PA) The Department for Work and Pensions said this will apply to those affected by changes to the Pip daily living component, including those who lose their eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of UC. But campaigners, including disability equality charity Scope, said the longer transition period, up from an originally expected four weeks, 'will only temporarily delay a cut and disabled people will continue to be living with extra costs when it comes to an end'. As the Bill was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday, and the question was asked as to what the next date for debate will be, former Labour MP John McDonnell, who now sits as an independent for Hayes and Harlington, could be heard to say 'Never'. Mr Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, is one of the members who has urged ministers to withdraw the cuts, which he has argued will 'make things worse' for disabled people. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'It's clear the Government are rushing through this change before MPs have received all the necessary impact assessments that they need to make a decision. 'The Bill lays out how large numbers of disabled people are going to be made poorer. This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Earlier this week, Mr Duncan-Jordan had said: 'The Government will only withdraw its damaging disability benefit cuts if Labour MPs make clear they will vote against them. 'The so-called concessions that have been suggested are nowhere near enough to undo the damage that is being proposed. The facts are undeniable: these cuts won't create jobs, they'll only push three million people deeper into hardship.' The latest data, published on Tuesday, showed that more than 3.7 million people in England and Wales are claiming Pip, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. An impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's Bill introduction confirmed previously published estimates that changes to Pip entitlement rules could see about 800,000 people lose out, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. The reforms are aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work (Philip Toscano/PA) Ms Kendall previously said there are 1,000 new Pip awards every day – 'the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year'. The impact assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that some 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/2030, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Changes to UC are expected to see an estimated 2.25 million current recipients of the health element impacted, with an average loss of £500 per year. But the Government said around 3.9 million households not on the UC health element are expected to have an average annual gain of £265 from the increase in the standard UC allowance. While all of the Bill applies to England and Wales, only the UC changes apply to Scotland. The Government said there are equivalent provisions to legislate for Northern Ireland included in the Bill.
South Wales Argus
a day ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Welfare reform legislation to be debated next month, MPs told
MPs are also expected to vote on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on July 1, when it receives its second reading in the Commons. The Government has faced backlash from some Labour MPs over the 'damaging disability benefit cuts', which it has said could save up to £5 billion a year. Ms Powell set the date for the Bill's second reading during business questions on Thursday. Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan has accused the Government of 'rushing through' the Bill, adding: 'This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbenchers over their plans, with dozens of Labour MPs last month saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. The reforms – 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, as well as a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the legislation 'marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity'. She added: 'Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it.' In what could be seen as an attempt to head off some opposition, the legislation will give existing claimants a 13-week period of financial support. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall (Jacob King/PA) The Department for Work and Pensions said this will apply to those affected by changes to the Pip daily living component, including those who lose their eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of UC. But campaigners, including disability equality charity Scope, said the longer transition period, up from an originally expected four weeks, 'will only temporarily delay a cut and disabled people will continue to be living with extra costs when it comes to an end'. As the Bill was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday, and the question was asked as to what the next date for debate will be, former Labour MP John McDonnell, who now sits as an independent for Hayes and Harlington, could be heard to say 'Never'. Mr Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, is one of the members who has urged ministers to withdraw the cuts, which he has argued will 'make things worse' for disabled people. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'It's clear the Government are rushing through this change before MPs have received all the necessary impact assessments that they need to make a decision. 'The Bill lays out how large numbers of disabled people are going to be made poorer. This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Earlier this week, Mr Duncan-Jordan had said: 'The Government will only withdraw its damaging disability benefit cuts if Labour MPs make clear they will vote against them. 'The so-called concessions that have been suggested are nowhere near enough to undo the damage that is being proposed. The facts are undeniable: these cuts won't create jobs, they'll only push three million people deeper into hardship.' The latest data, published on Tuesday, showed that more than 3.7 million people in England and Wales are claiming Pip, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. An impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's Bill introduction confirmed previously published estimates that changes to Pip entitlement rules could see about 800,000 people lose out, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. The reforms are aimed at encouraging more people off sickness benefits and into work (Philip Toscano/PA) Ms Kendall previously said there are 1,000 new Pip awards every day – 'the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year'. The impact assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that some 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/2030, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Changes to UC are expected to see an estimated 2.25 million current recipients of the health element impacted, with an average loss of £500 per year. But the Government said around 3.9 million households not on the UC health element are expected to have an average annual gain of £265 from the increase in the standard UC allowance. While all of the Bill applies to England and Wales, only the UC changes apply to Scotland. The Government said there are equivalent provisions to legislate for Northern Ireland included in the Bill.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Welfare reform legislation to be debated next month, MPs told
Proposed legislation to reform the welfare system will be debated by MPs for the first time next month, Commons Leader Lucy Powell has announced. MPs are also expected to vote on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on July 1, when it receives its second reading in the Commons. The Government has faced backlash from some Labour MPs over the 'damaging disability benefit cuts', which it has said could save up to £5 billion a year. Ms Powell set the date for the Bill's second reading during business questions on Thursday. Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan has accused the Government of 'rushing through' the Bill, adding: 'This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Ministers are likely to face a Commons stand-off with backbenchers over their plans, with dozens of Labour MPs last month saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. The reforms – 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, as well as a cut to the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC) and delayed access to only those aged 22 and over. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the legislation 'marks the moment we take the road of compassion, opportunity and dignity'. She added: 'Our social security system is at a crossroads. Unless we reform it, more people will be denied opportunities, and it may not be there for those who need it.' In what could be seen as an attempt to head off some opposition, the legislation will give existing claimants a 13-week period of financial support. The Department for Work and Pensions said this will apply to those affected by changes to the Pip daily living component, including those who lose their eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of UC. But campaigners, including disability equality charity Scope, said the longer transition period, up from an originally expected four weeks, 'will only temporarily delay a cut and disabled people will continue to be living with extra costs when it comes to an end'. As the Bill was formally introduced to the Commons on Wednesday, and the question was asked as to what the next date for debate will be, former Labour MP John McDonnell, who now sits as an independent for Hayes and Harlington, could be heard to say 'Never'. Mr Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole, is one of the members who has urged ministers to withdraw the cuts, which he has argued will 'make things worse' for disabled people. Speaking to the PA news agency, he said: 'It's clear the Government are rushing through this change before MPs have received all the necessary impact assessments that they need to make a decision. 'The Bill lays out how large numbers of disabled people are going to be made poorer. This isn't something I'm prepared to support.' Earlier this week, Mr Duncan-Jordan had said: 'The Government will only withdraw its damaging disability benefit cuts if Labour MPs make clear they will vote against them. 'The so-called concessions that have been suggested are nowhere near enough to undo the damage that is being proposed. The facts are undeniable: these cuts won't create jobs, they'll only push three million people deeper into hardship.' The latest data, published on Tuesday, showed that more than 3.7 million people in England and Wales are claiming Pip, with teenagers and young adults making up a growing proportion. Pip is a benefit aimed at helping with extra living costs if someone has a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability and difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of their condition. Data for Pip claimants begins in January 2019, when the number stood at 2.05 million. An impact assessment published alongside Wednesday's Bill introduction confirmed previously published estimates that changes to Pip entitlement rules could see about 800,000 people lose out, with an average loss of £4,500 per year. Ms Kendall previously said there are 1,000 new Pip awards every day – 'the equivalent of adding a city the size of Leicester every single year'. The impact assessment also confirmed a previous estimate that some 250,000 more people, including 50,000 children, are likely to fall into relative poverty after housing costs in 2029/2030, although the Government repeated that this does not take into account the potentially positive impact of £1 billion annual funding by then for measures to support people into work. Changes to UC are expected to see an estimated 2.25 million current recipients of the health element impacted, with an average loss of £500 per year. But the Government said around 3.9 million households not on the UC health element are expected to have an average annual gain of £265 from the increase in the standard UC allowance. While all of the Bill applies to England and Wales, only the UC changes apply to Scotland. The Government said there are equivalent provisions to legislate for Northern Ireland included in the Bill.
