DWP confirms PIP assessment review starts this week as part of welfare reforms
Sir Stephen Timms, leading the review, will be meeting with disabled people and organisations representing them this week.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that a review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment has started. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall told the Commons on Monday that Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, leading the review, will be meeting with disabled people and organisations representing them this week.
The review of PIP assessments is part of the UK Government's welfare reform plans which also includes ramping up face-to face assessments, changing the eligibility rules for the daily living component for PIP and scrapping the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) for Universal Credit.
About 3.7 million people who have a long-term physical or mental health illness in England, Wales and Northern Ireland currently receive PIP payments of up to £749.80 each month. The disability benefit has been replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment.
During the scheduled DWP question session in Parliament, the SNP's Stephen Gethins sought reassurance that 'the full details about how the changes will interact with devolved powers will come before a vote is brought to this Chamber'.
Responding to the Arbroath and Broughty Ferry MP, Ms Kendall explained how Sir Stephen Timms is 'working closely with all the devolved Administrations to ensure that the changes work in every part of the country'.
She added: 'I also say to Opposition Members that we want to ensure that disabled people in Scotland have the same rights, chances and choices to get into work, stay in work and get on in their work, so I hope the hon. Member will be keen to work with us on those issues, too.'
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has previously said the changes, which are part of a broader shift to get more people off benefits and into work, would affect about 800,000 people.
During the parliamentary session, several Labour MPs urged Ms Kendall to publish an impact assessment, while others called for the introduction of a wealth tax.
Ms Kendall said: 'Personal Independence Payment is a crucial benefit that makes a contribution towards the extra costs of living with a disability. I know how anxious many people are when there's talk about reform, but this Government wants to ensure PIP is fair for people who need it now and into the future.
'In our Green Paper we promised to review the PIP assessment, working with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and other experts. And I can tell the House we are starting the first phase of that review today (May 12).
'My right honourable friend, the minister for social security and disability (Sir Stephen Timms) is going to be inviting in stakeholders this week to develop the scope, and terms of reference for this review. We will keep the House updated as this work progresses.'
Labour MP Imran Hussain (Bradford East) said 41,000 disabled people in his constituency would be affected. He told MPs many of them were 'rightly horrified' by Ms Kendall's policy.
He drew attention to the change which means people will now need to score four points in at least one of the daily living tasks to qualify for the daily living component of PIP - along with points in other sections to reach the eligibility threshold for either the standard or enhanced rate.
Mr Hussain said: 'The four-point rule has the potential to devastate the lives of tens of thousands of people in Bradford overnight. These plans would take away the vital lifeline from those with the greatest need, living in the most deprived areas, often. I cannot support any cuts that worsen inequality in places like Bradford.
'So I say to the minister, in absolute sincerity, please listen to the growing calls, in this place and out there, to scrap these unfair cuts and instead do the right thing by taxing the super rich so they can pay their fair share?'
Ms Kendall replied: 'I hear very clearly what my honourable friend says, but I also want to be clear to the House - for people who can never work, we want to protect them. For disabled people who can work, we want to support them.
'The truth is that if you are a disabled person and in work, you are half as likely to be poor than if you are out of work. We want to improve people's chances and choices by supporting those who can work, to do so, and protecting those who cannot.'
The changes, which are part of a package of measures that could save £5 billion-a-year by the end of the decade, were announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in March.
Mr Hussain's party colleagues Warinder Juss (Wolverhampton West) and Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole) said ministers should be transparent about how current claimants will be affected.
Mr Juss said: 'Can my right honourable friend please outline what analysis has been done to understand how the changes proposed in the pathways to work Green Paper will affect those who rely on PIP not just for employment support, but for their daily living and mobility needs?'
Sir Stephen Timms said: 'We are determined to open up opportunities for people who have been out of work, often for a long time, on health and disability grounds, give them the chance through much better employment support to get into work, but we recognise there will be people who will not be able to work and will never be able to work.'
He said those with the most severe lifelong conditions will qualify for the new Universal Credit health element from April next year.
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