DWP's Liz Kendall updates claimants ahead of Universal Credit and PIP changes

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DWP's Liz Kendall updates claimants ahead of Universal Credit and PIP changes
A consultation will be open until 11:59 pm on Monday, June 30, 2025
Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5 billion a year
(Image: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images )
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has reassured claimants there will be "no immediate changes to Personal Independence Payment" affecting 3.7 million individuals when the proposed welfare reforms are implemented next November, pending parliamentary consent.
Addressing MPs on Monday, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the majority of current recipients, nine out of 10, will not be impacted by the upcoming adjustments.
During DWP oral questions, MPs voiced apprehension about the repercussions for those on PIP who may lose their daily living award.
Liberal Democrat MP, John Milne, pointed out that around 150,000 Carer's Allowance beneficiaries stand to forfeit their support, with "some of our country's most hard-pressed households face losing £8,000 a year".
In response, Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said: "We are consulting on support for those who will lose Carer's Allowance because of the changes and considering what additional help they may need, including for health and care needs."
Furthermore, the DWP Minister mentioned: "We have committed to a 13-week run-on benefit (PIP) after an assessment decision so that people have time to adjust to the new situation."
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The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill is scheduled for its second reading in Parliament the following week.
Nonetheless, over 100 Labour MPs have appended their signatures to a Commons endeavour aiming to obstruct the welfare reforms, posing a potential challenge to Sir Keir Starmer's majority, reports the Daily Record.
Over 100 MPs have appended their signatures to a reasoned amendment, tabled for consideration when the welfare reform Bill is due for its second reading in the House of Commons on July 1.
The potential revolt, which marks the largest challenge to the Prime Minister's authority to date, could torpedo the UK Government's welfare plans if opposition members choose to side with the dissenting Labour politicians.
The document laid out in Tuesday's order paper acknowledges the necessity for an overhaul of the social security system. Nonetheless, it urges the Commons to refuse further debate of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.
This is "because the Government's own impact assessment estimates that 250,000 people will be pushed into poverty as a result of these provisions, including 50,000 children".
The amendment highlights the absence of formal consultation with disabled individuals who stand to be affected by these adjustments, according to the signatory MPs.
Additionally, they call attention to the delay in the publication of an analysis on how these reforms might influence employment; this study from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is not expected until Autumn.
Key Labour figureheads who hold roles as select committee chairs have endorsed the amendment: Dame Meg Hillier, chair of the Treasury committee, and Debbie Abrahams, at the helm of the Work and Pensions select committee, included.
Debbie Abrahams expressed the signatories' desire, stating they "want the Government to listen and to think again on this Bill".
She stated: "We are being asked to vote for this Bill before disabled people have been consulted, before impact assessments have been conducted and before we have given enough time to some of the Government's key policies - investing in the NHS, to the right to try, and to work coaching - (to) have been able to bed in."
Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft also supported the amendment. Ministers have claimed the proposed reforms could yield a saving of up to £5 billion annually.
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The success of the amendment depends on Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle selecting it for debate during the second reading of the legislation.
Online consultation
The 12-week public consultation on the proposed reforms to health and disability support began on 7 April and is available on the GOV.UK website, along with the publication of all accessible versions of the Pathways to Work Green Paper. The consultation will be open until 11:59 pm on Monday, June 30, 2025.