News Reader.info

THE DWP'S CONTROVERSIAL PLANS TO STOP PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT (PIP) INCREASES COULD BE DITCHED, ACCORDING TO REPORTS. PIP IS A BENEFIT THAT HELPS WITH THE EXTRA COSTS OF A

LONG-TERM HEALTH CONDITION OR DISABILITY FOR THOSE AGED 16 TO STATE PENSION AGE 05:15, 17 Mar 2025 The government may be set to halt controversial plans to freeze Personal Independence

Payments (PIP), after facing a huge backlash from across the political spectrum. According to the BBC, the government is currently considering its strategy to halt increases in certain

disability benefits, a policy which could see many disabled people plunged into poverty. Previously, it was believed that PIP would not match inflation for one year, but Labour MPs have

loudly voiced their opposition during No10 meetings and to party whips and ministers. Despite hopes to cut billions from the welfare budget by tightening PIP eligibility, abandoning the

freeze could prevent a heated debate in the Commons and provide a welcome sigh of relief for millions of disabled people around the country, reports Devon Live. Liz Kendall, the head of the

Department of Work and Pensions, is set to announce her plans for reform in a green paper next week. These reforms will likely include a "right to try" initiative, allowing

disabled individuals to attempt work without the risk of instantly losing their benefits if unsuccessful. Hot on Kendall's heels, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is also gearing up to reveal

how much money the government expects to save - estimates suggest somewhere in the region of £5bn and £6bn – in her Spring Statement come 26 March. On Friday, Reeves was championing the

argument for real terms cuts, while urging the government to "get a grip" on the ballooning welfare budget. Article continues below According to forecasts, health and disability

benefit expenditure will skyrocket from £64.7bn in 2023-24 to an astounding £100.7bn by 2029-30, with working-age adult welfare identified by the Office for Budget Responsibility as the key

factor behind this growth, reports the Mirror. A core component of this is the Personal Independent Payment, with PIP reaching a total of £18bn in the financial year 2023-24. Forecasts

suggest that this amount might surge to roughly £34bn by 2029-30, with claimant numbers jumping from 2.7 million to an anticipated 4.2 million. Crafted to help cover additional living

expenses for those with long-lasting physical or mental health challenges, PIP isn't only for the unemployed; many recipients are in employment and consider it vital support enabling

them to maintain their jobs. Yet, PIP also aids individuals who are severely disabled and unable to work. It has often been framed less as an unemployment benefit and more as essential

assistance for living with disability. Commenting on the system, one user remarked on X: "Disabled people to lose thousands of pounds each in bid to keep promise not to raise taxes

again 1p on income tax would raise a little more than this but Labour chooses to take a 'moral' axe to social security." However, in response another user didn't mince

words when they hit back with: "Encouraging people to work is great. Pushing people who can't work further into poverty doesn't do that. It just hurts them. It means they

can't afford food, heating, care. These cuts do the latter, they don't encourage anything." They also shed light on the fact that PIP, which boasts a 0.0% fraud rate, is a

lifeline for disabled folks trying to stay in the workforce, only outdone by Access To Work—which is bogged down by ridiculous waiting times. This raises a red flag about how many bosses

would hang around for that long. PIP helps cover transport expenses and provides for adapted vehicles, highlighting concerns that cutbacks might translate directly into job losses for some

disabled workers. A key point about PIP is that it's not means-tested, and isn't solely intended for those unable to work. It's designed to support all disabled individuals,

helping to cover the significant monthly costs of disability, and providing access to benefits like blue badges and Motability, which can even enable some disabled people to work. With a

substantial Commons majority, Labour would likely succeed in implementing a PIP freeze, but this move could expose internal party divisions. According to BBC sources, the forthcoming

measures would introduce stricter eligibility criteria for PIP, potentially raising concerns among some Labour MPs. Despite these changes, PIP expenditure is expected to continue growing,

albeit at a slower rate than initially forecast. Several Labour MPs who back welfare reform have expressed confidence, following assurances that severely disabled individuals won't be

expected to work or face reduced benefit entitlements. These planned changes to the benefits system come on the heels of the government's decision to abolish NHS England, a

semi-independent body responsible for managing England's healthcare. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has hinted at further efficiency-driven cuts within the health service. In a recent

Sunday Telegraph interview, he boldly claimed that "far more change to come" is on the horizon, citing the existence of "hundreds" of redundant official bodies that are

simply "cluttering the patient safety and regulatory landscape". Article continues below Further comments highlighted an awareness of issues within the health service, with one

individual stating: "Patients and staff alike can see the inefficiency and waste in the health service. My team and I are going through budgets line by line, with a relentless focus on

slashing bloated bureaucracy," he declared. Interestingly, Streeting is also set to appear on the BBC's Sunday programme with Laura Kuenssberg. Moreover, in speaking about welfare,

a spokesperson from the Department for Work and Pensions candidly remarked: "We have been clear that the current welfare system is broken and needs reform, so that it helps long-term

sick and disabled people who can work to find employment, ensuring people receive the support they need, while being fair to the taxpayer. Without reform more people will be locked out of

jobs, despite many wanting to work. That is not just bad for the economy, it's bad for people too."