The DWP will add “non-negotiable” protections to its Welfare Reform Bill, amid a backlash against planned cuts to benefits. The planned revisions involve tighter eligibility for PIP
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to introduce “non-negotiable” safeguards into the Welfare Reform Bill as a response to backlash over proposed benefit cuts. The aim of the amendments is to cut the number of working-age individuals receiving sickness benefits, with the UK Government aspiring to save £5 billion annually by the 2020s.
The planned revisions involve tighter eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and a reduction in the sickness-related portion of Universal Credit. Following calls from multiple Labour MPs last month for the Prime Minister to halt and reassess the impending Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) cuts, described as “impossible to support” additional measures are now being taken.
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In an interview with the Guardian, Ms Kendall confirmed the Bill due this week will contain added protections. Her statement read: “When we set out our reforms we promised to protect those most in need, particularly those who can never work.”
Reflecting on her extensive experience as an MP, she emphasised: “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.
“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.”
She underlined the significance of these guarantees, asserting: “These protections will be written into law, a clear sign they are non-negotiable.”
A Government impact assessment released with recent reforms has raised alarms, suggesting that up to 250,000 individuals, including 50,000 children throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, could slide into relative poverty after housing costs due to the proposed changes.
The DWP head has faced backlash but reaffirmed earlier this week her determination to pursue planned welfare cuts, reports the Daily Record.
Faced with an appeal from MPs on the Work and Pensions Committee to place a hold on the changes, Ms Kendall said:”we will not avoid or delay the decisive action needed to transform the system”.
The bipartisan committee had implored for a halt and a comprehensive impact analysis before moving forward with the welfare reform implementation.
Despite the concerns, Ms Kendall stated there would be no postponement, citing the need for the bill to secure final approval from Parliament by November this year to enable changes to take effect from 2026.
Currently, there are 3.7 million individuals in Great Britain receiving PIP benefits, but projections estimate this number to reach 4 million by the decade’s end, prompting the UK Government to suggest a series of new policies aimed at ensuring the benefit can be maintained for future beneficiaries.
Among discussed propositions for PIP reforms are:
- 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.
With the future in mind, the UK Government has decided on a number of measures to enhance the sustainability of the welfare system and safeguard those who depend on it the most.
These include:
- 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.
The DWP has also initiated an online consultation to coincide with the release 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 crucial to note that the proposed reforms announced by the DWP will not directly impact disability claimants in Scotland who are currently receiving devolved health-related benefits – unless the funding for the Scottish Government is affected by planned changes from Westminster.