DWP Announces Plans to Overhaul PIP and Disability Benefits
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has shared an update on planned changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), a disability benefit claimed by over 3 million people in the UK.
Social Security Minister Sir Stephen Timms confirmed that the government is working on a programme to “overhaul” PIP, aiming to “transform” the entire service, including eligibility rules, decision-making, and payments.
These changes are part of the Health Transformation Programme, launched by the previous Conservative government. The programme aims to simplify the PIP application process and introduce a new single health assessment service for all benefits that require a health assessment. The national rollout of this new system is planned for 2029.
Sir Stephen said the programme will modernise health and disability benefits to improve the experience of applying for PIP. He added that the DWP is working closely with disabled people, charities, and other organisations to gather feedback and ensure their voices are heard.
Upcoming Green Paper on Disability Benefits
In Spring 2025, the DWP will release a Health and Disability Green Paper, which will outline further changes to the disability benefits system. While details are not yet confirmed, the government has pledged to match the £3 billion in welfare savings planned by the previous administration. However, the government will re-consult on these plans after the High Court ruled that the previous consultation process was unlawful.
Key Focus of the Changes
The reforms are expected to focus on:
- Making it harder for people to qualify for certain disability benefits, particularly for mental health-related conditions.
- Reforming the Work Capability Assessment to better support people with fluctuating or complex health conditions to enter or stay in work.
Sir Stephen stated: “We believe there is a strong case to change the system of health and disability benefits across Great Britain so that it better enables people to enter and remain in work, and responds to the complex and fluctuating nature of the health conditions many people live with today.”
Charities Raise Concerns
Leading charities, including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Disability Rights UK, have warned that the consultation process must be fair and meaningful. They have expressed concerns that the changes could cut vital financial support for disabled people, pushing many into poverty.
Anela Anwar, CEO of anti-poverty charity Z2K, said: “It is deeply disappointing to learn that this government wants to revive the previous government’s discredited and dangerous plans to remove vital financial support for seriously ill and disabled people.
The government must not repeat the mistakes of the past. We need a genuine consultation that gives disabled people a proper chance to respond to plans which could see them plunged into deep poverty.”
What’s Next?
The DWP will continue to engage with disabled people and stakeholders as it develops the new system. The upcoming Green Paper will provide more details on the proposed changes, but charities and campaigners are urging the government to ensure that any reforms do not harm those who rely on disability benefits to meet their basic needs.
