Latest news with #PathwaystoWork:ReformingBenefitsandSupporttoGetBritainWorkingGreenPaper
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
New call to scrap DWP benefit reforms and create a National Disability Strategy
Thousands of people have signed an online petition calling for DWP reforms due to start next year to be scrapped. Nearly 8,000 people have signed an online petition urging the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to 'abandon' proposed welfare reforms to health and disability benefits, outlined in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper. Petition creator Rick Burgess, is calling for the UK Government to scrap the plans due to start from next November and instead work with disability charities and organisations across the country to create a 'National Disability Strategy'. The campaigner argues that the plans will see 'devastating cuts to disability benefits ' and puts forward proposals to 'protect the income of disabled people from further shocks'. The 'Abandon DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper and create National Disability Strategy' petition has been posted on the official UK Government's Petitions-Parliament website. It states: 'The DWP Green Paper Pathways to Work proposes what we think are devastating cuts to disability benefits. We think the Government must drop these proposals and instead begin a process of co-production with disabled peoples representative organisations to create a whole government disability strategy.' The proposals include: Abandon the DWP Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper. Establish and resource a disability strategy co-production infrastructure working with Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (Organisations run by and for disabled people) to create a National Disability Strategy to inform Labour market, Employment rights and Social Security reform that provides an adequate standard of living in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Protect the income of disabled people from further shocks. At 10,000 signatures, the petition would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it in full here. Last month, the DWP rejected proposals in another online petition calling for the welfare reforms to be scrapped. More than 24,100 people have signed in support of the petition, posted by disability activist Abigail Broomfield who argues that instead of reducing benefits, the DWP should be providing 'support, not hardship and deprivation, for those who cannot work.' However, the DWP response on April 29 highlighted how the 'UK Government must urgently tackle the spiralling welfare bill, restore trust and fairness in the system, and protect disabled people. Social security reforms will therefore continue as planned.' The welfare reform proposals centre on changes to both the eligibility criteria for and the reduced payment rates of benefits and include plans to abolish the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), meaning the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment would determine eligibility for PIP and the health element of Universal Credit. Responding to the 'Protect disabled people who cannot work from planned cuts to benefits' petition - also posted on the official UK Government petitions website, DWP said: 'Our welfare system is broken, costing almost a third as much as it does to run the NHS in England while leaving people for years on benefits with no offer of support, no hope of a future in work and no opportunity to improve their standard of living. 'Working-age adults who are in work are three times less likely to be in poverty than those out of work. We need to act to end the inequality that sees disabled people and people with health conditions trapped out of jobs, despite many wanting to work, and ensure our welfare system is there for people who need it, now and long into the future. 'As part of our Plan for Change we're introducing the most far-reaching reforms in a generation, with £1 billion a year being invested to give people the best possible chance with tailored support that can be adapted to meet their changing circumstances - including their changing health.' DWP went on to list the changes being made to the system to 'support sick and disabled people - many of whom want to work - into jobs, while protecting those with the most severe conditions who can never work'. Commenting on the DWP's response, Ms Broomfield told the Daily Record: 'They've not addressed how they're going to protect disabled people who can't work and have just repeated points from the Green Paper. 'In fact they've doubled down on how by claiming that getting disabled people into work is going to protect disabled people.' The disability campaigner added: 'A Freedom of Information request revealed that nearly 90 per cent of disabled people or 1.3 million people who only get standard rates or PIP are going to be losing money.' Ms Broomfield will continue her campaign to get the petition to 100,000 signatures of support where it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can read the full petition and DWP response on the Petitions Parliament website here. Online consultation The 12-week consultation on reforms to health and disability support officially launched on April 7 on with publication of all accessible versions of the Pathways to Work Green Paper. The consultation is open until June 30, 2025. The proposed reforms aim to support people into work, protect people who can never work and put the welfare system on a sustainable footing so that it can continue to support those in need now and into the future. DWP said: 'One in three of us faces a long-term health condition, so we all need a system that can support us to stay in work or get back into work.' The measures are the latest step in the UK Government's drive to build a modern welfare system that helps people get jobs rather than creating unnecessary barriers, with ministers' proposed plans set to: Provide more tailored employment support for those who can work, breaking down barriers to opportunity Simplify the system and reduce unnecessary assessments, cutting bureaucracy and making it easier to navigate Improve the way financial support is assessed and delivered, ensuring it reaches those who need it most and that people using the system have a better experience and are treated with dignity and respect Build a more flexible approach that recognises the diverse needs of disabled people and those with long-term health conditions DWP said that without changes, it is forecast that the system could cost as much as £70 billion a year by the end of the decade and risk not being there for people when they need it in future. Issues open for consultation include: Supporting people to thrive with the new support offer Supporting employers and making work more accessible Reforming the structure of the health and disability benefits system DWP said: "These are part of the wider reforms that also include reintroducing reassessments for people on incapacity benefits who have the capability to work to ensure they have the right support and aren't indefinitely written off, targeting Personal Independence Payments for those with higher needs, and rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit."
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
PIP update for people due an assessment before DWP changes start next year
Proposed changes to PIP are set to come into effect for new and existing claimants from November 2026. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed plans in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper to increase the number of face-to-face assessments for people making a new claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and those coming to the end of their payment award due a review. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, has also confirmed that the DWP remains 'committed to enabling a multi-channel assessment approach' but the focus will be on ramping up in-person PIP assessments. DWP will continue to offer telephone and video calling consultations. However, he also added that 'the feasibility of a paper-based assessment will always be considered in the first instance, for all cases' adding that 'where a paper-based review is not possible the claimant will be invited to an assessment '. In his written response to Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan, he went on to say that before an invitation to an assessment is sent, 'consideration will be given to claimants who need a specific assessment channel due to their health condition or circumstances'. Sir Stephen continued: 'Other claimants who can undertake any assessment type will be allocated to the next available appointment; however, this can be changed if the claimant informs us that a reasonable adjustment is appropriate in their circumstances. 'The Department audits Functional Assessment Service suppliers to ensure that the correct PIP assessment channel type has been selected for the claimant. This provides assurance that claimants are routed to the most appropriate assessment type.' In a separate written response to Conservative MP Gregory Stafford, Sir Stephen also clarified that the DWP has 'set clear requirements on the professions, skills, experience, and training of health professionals (HPs) that assessment suppliers use to carry out assessments' for PIP. He explained how the Personal Independence Payment Assessment Guide (PIPAG) states all HPs recruited for the delivery of PIP assessments (or any parts of these) must meet certain requirements. These include: Be an occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic, doctor, pharmacist or by exception, another registered healthcare professional, providing the requirements set out within the PIPAG are met, the individual continues to satisfy quality and probation processes, and only by individual, prior, written agreement with the DWP. Be fully registered with the relevant licensing body Have no sanctions attached to registration unless: they relate to disability, or the HP is a doctor who has an approved practice setting (APS) (as defined by the General Medical Council from time to time) requirement on the grounds that they have not had their first revalidation post qualification as a doctor In individual cases, the requirement for HPs not to have any sanction attached to registration may be waived subject to prior written agreement with DWP (no waiver is required in relation to any sanction relating to disability or an APS requirement) Have at least one year's post full registration experience (this refers to either UK registration or equivalent overseas registration for non-UK HPs) or less than one year's post full registration experience by individual, prior, written agreement with the DWP. Have passed a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level. Proposed changes to PIP are set to come into effect from November 2026.
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
New call to ‘abandon' DWP benefit reforms and create a National Disability Strategy
An online petition argues the welfare reforms will see 'devastating cuts to disability benefits'. A new online petition is urging the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to 'abandon' proposed welfare reforms to health and disability benefits, outlined in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper. Petition creator Rick Burgess, is calling for the UK Government to ditch the plans due to start from next November and instead work with disability charities and organisations across the country to create a National Disability Strategy. The campaigner argues that the plans will see 'devastating cuts to disability benefits ' and puts forward proposals to 'protect the income of disabled people from further shocks'. The 'Abandon DWP Pathways to Work Green Paper and create National Disability Strategy' petition has been posted on the official UK Government's Petitions-Parliament website. It states: 'The DWP Green Paper Pathways to Work proposes what we think are devastating cuts to disability benefits. We think the Government must drop these proposals and instead begin a process of co-production with disabled peoples representative organisations to create a whole government disability strategy.' The proposals include: Abandon the DWP Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper. Establish and resource a disability strategy co-production infrastructure working with Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (Organisations run by and for disabled people) to create a National Disability Strategy to inform Labour market, Employment rights and Social Security reform that provides an adequate standard of living in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Protect the income of disabled people from further shocks. At 10,000 signatures, the petition would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000, it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view it in full here. Earlier this week, the DWP rejected proposals in another online petition calling for the welfare reforms to be scrapped. More than 18,000 people have signed in support of the petition, posted by disability activist Abigail Broomfield who argues that instead of reducing benefits, the DWP should be providing 'support, not hardship and deprivation, for those who cannot work.' However, the DWP response on April 29 highlighted how the 'UK Government must urgently tackle the spiralling welfare bill, restore trust and fairness in the system, and protect disabled people. Social security reforms will therefore continue as planned.' The welfare reform proposals centre on changes to both the eligibility criteria for and the reduced payment rates of benefits and include plans to abolish the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), meaning the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment would determine eligibility for PIP and the health element of Universal Credit. Responding to the 'Protect disabled people who cannot work from planned cuts to benefits' petition - also posted on the official UK Government petitions website, DWP said: 'Our welfare system is broken, costing almost a third as much as it does to run the NHS in England while leaving people for years on benefits with no offer of support, no hope of a future in work and no opportunity to improve their standard of living. 'Working-age adults who are in work are three times less likely to be in poverty than those out of work. We need to act to end the inequality that sees disabled people and people with health conditions trapped out of jobs, despite many wanting to work, and ensure our welfare system is there for people who need it, now and long into the future. 'As part of our Plan for Change we're introducing the most far-reaching reforms in a generation, with £1 billion a year being invested to give people the best possible chance with tailored support that can be adapted to meet their changing circumstances - including their changing health.' DWP went on to list the changes being made to the system to 'support sick and disabled people - many of whom want to work - into jobs, while protecting those with the most severe conditions who can never work'. Commenting on the DWP's response, Ms Broomfield told the Daily Record: 'They've not addressed how they're going to protect disabled people who can't work and have just repeated points from the Green Paper. 'In fact they've doubled down on how by claiming that getting disabled people into work is going to protect disabled people.' The disability campaigner added: 'A Freedom of Information request revealed that nearly 90 per cent of disabled people or 1.3 million people who only get standard rates or PIP are going to be losing money.' Ms Broomfield will continue her campaign to get the petition to 100,000 signatures of support where it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can read the full petition and DWP response on the Petitions Parliament website here. Online consultation The 12-week consultation on reforms to health and disability support officially launched on April 7 on with publication of all accessible versions of the Pathways to Work Green Paper. The consultation is open until June 30, 2025. The proposed reforms aim to support people into work, protect people who can never work and put the welfare system on a sustainable footing so that it can continue to support those in need now and into the future. DWP said: 'One in three of us faces a long-term health condition, so we all need a system that can support us to stay in work or get back into work.' The measures are the latest step in the UK Government's drive to build a modern welfare system that helps people get jobs rather than creating unnecessary barriers, with ministers' proposed plans set to: Provide more tailored employment support for those who can work, breaking down barriers to opportunity Simplify the system and reduce unnecessary assessments, cutting bureaucracy and making it easier to navigate Improve the way financial support is assessed and delivered, ensuring it reaches those who need it most and that people using the system have a better experience and are treated with dignity and respect Build a more flexible approach that recognises the diverse needs of disabled people and those with long-term health conditions DWP said that without changes, it is forecast that the system could cost as much as £70 billion a year by the end of the decade and risk not being there for people when they need it in future. Issues open for consultation include: Supporting people to thrive with the new support offer Supporting employers and making work more accessible Reforming the structure of the health and disability benefits system DWP said: "These are part of the wider reforms that also include reintroducing reassessments for people on incapacity benefits who have the capability to work to ensure they have the right support and aren't indefinitely written off, targeting Personal Independence Payments for those with higher needs, and rebalancing payment levels in Universal Credit."
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
PIP update as DWP confirms plans for assessment changes
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has recently unveiled plans in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper. The plans aim to increase the number of face-to-face assessments for individuals applying for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or those nearing the end of their payment award due a review. Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, confirmed that the DWP is "committed to enabling a multi-channel assessment approach", with a primary focus on increasing in-person PIP assessments. The DWP will continue to offer consultations via telephone and video calls. However, he also noted that "the feasibility of a paper-based assessment will always be considered in the first instance, for all cases". If a paper-based review isn't possible, the claimant will be invited for an assessment. In his written response to Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan, Sir Stephen added that before sending out an invitation for an assessment, "consideration will be given to claimants who need a specific assessment channel due to their health condition or circumstances". Sir Stephen further explained: "Other claimants who can undertake any assessment type will be allocated to the next available appointment; however, this can be changed if the claimant informs us that a reasonable adjustment is appropriate in their circumstances.", reports the Daily Record. "The Department audits Functional Assessment Service suppliers to ensure that the correct PIP assessment channel type has been selected for the claimant. This provides assurance that claimants are routed to the most appropriate assessment type." In a detailed response to Tory MP Gregory Stafford, Sir Stephen elaborated that the DWP has "set clear requirements on the professions, skills, experience, and training of health professionals (HPs) that assessment suppliers use to carry out assessments" for PIP. He went on to describe how the Personal Independence Payment Assessment Guide (PIPAG) mandates that all HPs involved in delivering PIP assessments (or any part thereof) must: Be an occupational therapist, nurse, physiotherapist, paramedic, doctor, pharmacist or by exception, another registered healthcare professional, providing the requirements set out within the PIPAG are met, the individual continues to satisfy quality and probation processes, and only by individual, prior, written agreement with the DWP. Be fully registered with the relevant licensing body Have no sanctions attached to registration unless: they relate to disability, or the HP is a doctor who has an approved practice setting (APS) (as defined by the General Medical Council from time to time) requirement on the grounds that they have not had their first revalidation post qualification as a doctor In individual cases, the requirement for HPs not to have any sanction attached to registration may be waived subject to prior written agreement with DWP (no waiver is required in relation to any sanction relating to disability or an APS requirement) Have at least one year's post full registration experience (this refers to either UK registration or equivalent overseas registration for non-UK HPs) or less than one year's post full registration experience by individual, prior, written agreement with the DWP. Have passed a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level. The anticipated reforms to PIP are scheduled to roll out from November 2026.
Daily Record
29-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
People on PIP with autism or ADHD could lose payments under new reforms
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to introduce new changes to eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from November 2026 which includes a requirement for a minimum score of four points in at least one of the daily living component questions on the claim form to qualify for the disability benefit. There are 10 questions on the daily living health questionnaire ( PIP 2 evidence form ) which forms the main part of a PIP application. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, has now confirmed that the latest PIP data shows that in January, 8,200 PIP claimants in England and Wales receiving the standard rate of the daily living component (£73.90) who did not score at least four points in any of the 10 descriptors, had autism as their primary condition. He added: 'There were 21,600 such claimants whose primary condition was a neurodivergent condition, including the 8,200 with autism.' In his written response to Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who asked 'how many people claiming the standard level of the Personal Independence Payment who did not score four points in any of the 10 descriptors are autistic and neurodivergent'. Sir Stephen shared the DWP definition of neurodivergent claimants. These include people with the following primary conditions: The DWP Minister added: 'There may be other claimants with neurodivergent conditions as a primary or secondary condition, but these are not identifiable from the readily available data. 'Behavioural responses on the part of claimants and assessors to the reforms planned to take effect from November 2026 will affect the outcomes of award reviews undertaken after that date.' The MP for Harrow East also asked DWP how many autistic and neurodivergent people will no longer be eligible to PIP following the implementation of the proposed reforms. Sir Stephen said: 'The number will not be known until those affected have gone through their first award review after the reforms take effect, starting in November 2026. 'Information on the impacts of the Pathways to Work Green Paper will be published in due course, and some information was published alongside the Spring Statement. These publications can be found in 'Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper'.' He added that a further programme of analysis to support development of the proposals in the Green Paper will be 'developed and undertaken in the coming months'. A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to review the PIP assessment process to adjust for neurodivergence and trauma. The petition, created by Emma O'Hara and posted on the UK Government's petition website, states: 'Review the current PIP Assessment process, including consideration of ensuring health care professionals are trained in trauma informed practice. 'We think the review should also consider how supporting evidence from health/social care workers is considered as part of a claim and the additional support available to neurodivergent claimants to understand decisions.' It continues: 'We think PIP assessors need to restoratively work with a claimant, setting out the support put in place to help them live independently. 'We think neurodivergent people deserve additional support, decisions made without their full understanding are dehumanising for the claimant. 'We think consultants who manage patients' care should be valued for the insight they offer, not challenged by assessors.' At 10,000 signatures, the petition would be entitled to a written response from the UK Government. At 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in parliament. You can view it online here.
