DWP due to confirm 13-week PIP transition period for people losing payments after reforms next year

Daily Record

6 hours ago

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.
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Dr Opher told the BBC he is 'going to rebel' in a vote and 'a number of colleagues are in the same situation'.
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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'.
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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.'
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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.
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'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.
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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:
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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:
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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 GOV.UK 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.