Latest news with #UniversalCreditandPersonalIndependencePaymentBill
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.
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Labour rebels say ‘you can't suspend us all' as they hit back at threats over benefits cuts vote
Rebel Labour MPs have hit back at Sir Keir Starmer after they were threatened with suspension or blacklisting for voting against his benefit cuts. Party whips have warned backbenchers they will be ruled out of government jobs and could lose the Labour whip if they reject plans to slash the welfare bill by £5bn. Sir Keir is bracing for the biggest rebellion of his leadership when MPs vote on the changes, which will remove the main disability benefit, personal independence payment (PIP), from up to 800,000 people. Around 50 Labour MPs are believed to be planning to vote against the government, with many more set to abstain on the plans. But the party's whips have threatened serious consequences for those who rebel or abstain. Whips have even sought to recruit popular Labour MPs to convince their colleagues to back the measures in a bid to stave off the rebellion. On Wednesday Angela Rayner, deputising for Sir Keir at prime minister's questions (PMQs), refused to rule out punishing Labour MPs who vote against the government's plans to cut disability benefits. After SNP MP Pete Wishart asked whether the prime minister intended to remove the whip from rebels, she responded: 'We're absolutely committed to ending child poverty. We've already introduced free school meals. We're already supporting families. We've given a living wage rise to over millions of workers that need it. We're getting on the job.' And one Labour MP planning to rebel told The Independent 'they can't withdraw the whip from all of us'. The MP said: 'This would be unprecedented, deeply authoritarian action from a Labour government. Besides, it's not realistic - they can't withdraw the whip from all of us. 'On being blacklisted for government jobs, I think I'll get over it.' And left-wing Labour MP Brian Leishman told The Independent 'these welfare reforms are wrong'. 'The leadership would do well to remember the words of two past Labour PMs – in Harold Wilson, when he said the party is a moral crusade or it is nothing, and in Gordon Brown, when he said that leaders come and leaders go, but the mission of the party remains,' he added. After the welfare bill was published on Wednesday, Sir Keir faced a fresh backlash from MPs and campaigners who warned the cuts will be 'horrendous', 'harmful' and 'a disaster', and will drive already struggling disabled people into poverty. 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. In an attempt to head off some opposition, the legislation - known as the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - 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 one Labour MP said the concessions offered up did not meet the demands of rebels and were 'a canard', a hoax or ruse. James Watson-O'Neill, who runs the disability charity Sense, warned on Wednesday that the cuts would 'push thousands further into poverty, hardship, and isolation'. 'Many disabled people already find themselves in debt because current benefits don't stretch far enough. Cutting support further at a time when the cost of living remains high is not only unjust — it is cruel,' he said. And mental health charity Mind said it is 'harmful in the extreme'. 'Struggling with your mental health is not a choice, but it is a political choice to attempt to fix the public finances by cutting the incomes of disabled people,' policy director Minesh Patel said. Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall defended the reforms, saying they were necessary as the 'social security system is at a crossroads'. She said: '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.'
The National
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Independent MPs table amendment to scrap welfare bill
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which is due to be debated by MPs next month, would change the eligibility criteria for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) disability benefit in a bid to save £5 billion a year by the end of the decade. If passed, the changes would make it harder for people with disabilities to claim benefits, and the UK Government's own analysis has found that the cuts would push 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children. On Thursday, the Independent Alliance – which consists of Corbyn, Shockat Adam, Adnan Hussain, Ayoub Khan and Iqbal Mohamed – tabled an amendment to decline a second reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, on the grounds that it "fails to provide a fair and compassionate approach to reforming disability benefits", Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn (Image: PA) The amendment also states that the bill "does not include measures that have been developed together with people with disabilities and carers, or informed by robust evidence and consultation". It adds that the bill 'has not been designed to uphold the dignity, independence and security of people who rely on the welfare system.' READ MORE: 'A weak man': John Swinney tears into Anas Sarwar after leadership jibe Alongside the Independent Alliance, the amendment has also gained the support of Zarah Sultana MP, who was suspended from Keir Starmer's party last July after voting to scrap the two-child benefit cap. Commenting on the amendment, Corbyn said the UK Government's "attack on disabled people" is "disgusting and disgraceful". He added: "MPs should think long and hard about the dreadful consequences these cuts will have. 'MPs must decide: did you become an MP so you could to push thousands of disabled people into poverty?' It comes amid reports that Labour MPs are set to be blacklisted for Government jobs if they fail to back the welfare cuts. The National reported how rebels face the prospect of having the party whip suspended if they vote against the plans, while those considering abstaining have been warned they will not be considered for promotion.
Economic Times
15 hours ago
- Business
- Economic Times
1.5 million UK citizens could be out of the disability benefit net soon, new bill proposes drastic changes in eligibility criteria
File photo: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Synopsis The Labour government's new welfare bill proposes significant changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), potentially impacting around 1.5 million Britons. Under the new guidelines, the 'daily living' element of the benefit effectively will get harder to claim after the eligibility criteria are tightened. All applicants will receive points according to their ability limitations for each activity. Around 3.7 million Britons are currently availing the benefits of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which helps them with some extra money to take care of the cost incurred by living with an illness or disability. But that number is set to drastically come down as nearly 1.5 million people will soon lose the right to claim PIP benefits. ADVERTISEMENT The Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer has introduced a new welfare bill revealing the full extent of the plans and roadmap to cut welfare for millions of disabled benefit claimants. This comes as the ruling party faces a crucial vote next month. An analysis by the Office for Budget Responsibility and verified by The Independent, the latest bill is likely to take away the eligibility of around 1.5 million people who currently claim the benefit of PIP. The watchdog further states that the 'behavioural response' can possibly reduce this to around 800,000 people. It, however, acknowledged that this is a 'highly uncertain judgement'.The 'Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill' precisely explains what will happen to PIP claimants if they end up losing their entitlement under the new for Work and Pensions (DWP) secretary Liz Kendall had in March 2025 announced the proposed changes. ADVERTISEMENT Under the new guidelines, the 'daily living' element of the benefit effectively will get harder to claim after the eligibility criteria are to what has been happening till now, assessors will ascertain if an applicant has limited ability to conduct day-to-day activities. The assessment will be based on how the applicants carry out a range of activities. They will be awarded points based on how limited their ability is. ADVERTISEMENT All applicants will receive points according to their ability limitations for each activity. They will require eight overall to secure this element of the benefit at the basic rate and 12 for the however, will be different from November 2026, as the applicants will need to score at least four points in a single daily living activity to be allowed to avail this element of the benefit. The eight required points can no longer be spread across activities. ADVERTISEMENT The changes planned by the Labour government have received strong backlash from charities and campaign groups. According to The Independent, over 100 Labour MPs are likely considering voting against the government on the plans. ADVERTISEMENT If someone availing themselves of the benefits of PIP loses entitlement, they will not witness any reduction in it without attending a reassessment which takes place every three years on being invited for reassessment, for which attendance is mandatory, applicants will be assessed as before. However, the new points-scoring system will now things go south and someone ends up losing their entitlement due to legislation changes, it will not stop being paid at that rate immediately. Payments will continue at that level for 13 weeks as a 'transitional cover', according to the government press release. This will not be paid if the recipient moves abroad or is reassessed and becomes entitled again. 'The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill will provide 13 weeks of additional financial security to existing claimants affected by changes to the PIP daily living component, including those who lose eligibility to Carers Allowance and the carer's element of Universal Credit,' the release read. After these 13 weeks, payments for the daily living part of the benefit will stop. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
