The health conditions most at risk from the DWP's controversial PIP changes

Yahoo

3 days ago

The government is reportedly looking at softening plans to restrict the eligibility rules for PIP assessments in the wake of a backlash over controversial welfare reforms being pushed through later this year.
In March, work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall revealed plans to slash £5bn from the benefits bill, with the mainstay of the savings coming from limiting the number of people who qualify for personal independence payments (PIP).
From November 2026, those claiming the "daily living element" of PIP – which provides financial support for individuals who need help with everyday tasks and mobility – face needing to score a minimum of four points during their assessment for the benefit in one single activity to qualify for support.
The move has sparked widespread criticism from campaigners - as well as causing a rift in the Labour party - over concerns about the potential impact on hundreds of thousands of disabled people.
On Thursday, the Financial Times reported that ministers are considering softening the stricter eligibility rules, which could lead to 195,000 people being prevented from losing their benefits payments.
But just who is set to miss out on claiming PIP?
According to data released by the DWP, the people most likely to miss out on their PIP are those who experience back pain.
To continue to be eligible after the new rules are brought in, the back pain a claimant experiences must significantly impact their ability to perform daily living activities or get around. As back pain can fluctuate, claimants may struggle to demonstrate consistent, severe limitations because of it to an assessor.
Campaigners have pointed out that those with other 'invisible' conditions that fluctuate are likely to be the hardest hit, and that some of the most common back pain injuries are caused by questionable work conditions.
Those with arthritis and chronic pain syndromes - second and third on the list - are also highly likely to miss out on support if the illness is listed as their primary condition.
Versus Arthritis, a charity dedicated to supporting people with the condition, said it was "hugely disappointed" by the government's reforms, adding that people with arthritis are one of the largest groups in receipt of PIP.
"These cuts will have a negative impact on their daily lives," the charity said. "Instead, what people with arthritis who are able to work need is timely access to treatment, tailored employment support and workplace adjustments to help them stay in, or return to, the right job."
Those with musculoskeletal conditions like fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis also look likely to be at risk of losing the benefit.
The government's own impact assessment calculates 800,000 people being affected by the cuts to PIP, while some campaigners have claimed the figures could be significantly higher.
Labour's planned changes would mean that anyone who doesn't score four or more points in one of the 12 assessment categories will lose their payments. (You can read more about the assessment criteria here.)
If ministers do soften their proposals as reported by the Financial Times, it would mean those who have a high total score could also still qualify.
These assessed categories are:
Preparing food
Eating and drinking
Managing treatments (e.g., medication)
Washing and bathing
Using the toilet and managing incontinence
Dressing and undressing
Talking, listening and understanding
Reading and understanding signs, symbols and words
Engaging with other people face to face
Making budgeting decisions
Planning and following journeys
Moving around
Each activity has descriptors that assess the level of difficulty or assistance needed, with points assigned accordingly to determine eligibility and payment rates
This would mean those who
Score eight points getting the standard rate of PIP
Score 12 points or more for the enhanced rate of PIP
The government is believed to be looking at ways to appease MPs who do not want to back the £5bn cuts, with Sir Keir Starmer expected to face the biggest backbench rebellion since he came to power.
According to the Guardian, more than 100 backbench Labour MPs have signed a letter criticising the government's planned benefits cuts, urging the government to delay the plans and rethink the proposals.
A parliamentary vote on the proposals is expected in June.
Earlier this week, disabled celebrities including Jack Thorne, Ruth Madeley, Liz Carr and Rosie Jones launched a new campaign criticising the cuts, named TakingthePip.
The group, led by over 100 disabled public figures, has come together to "speak out against the UK government's inhumane proposal to cut disability benefits, including PIP and the health-related component of universal credit."
In a letter to Starmer and Kendall, the group wrote: "There are over 16 million disabled people in the UK, yet not even a quarter of those receive PIP. Those who do are the most in need. For us, PIP is not a benefit – it is access to life. Without it, people are left housebound and isolated."
A government spokesperson told Yahoo News: 'The majority of people who are currently getting PIP will continue to receive it.
'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected.
'We have also announced a review of the PIP assessment, and we will be working with disabled people and key organisations representing them to consider how best to do this.'