Last minute concessions to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which has now been approved by Parliament, means that there will be no cuts to the number of people receiving personal independence payment (PIP), pending a review of the benefit.
This decision was made in response to concerns about introducing changes before the ongoing review of PIP is complete. The review of the PIP assessment process, by social security and disability minister Stephen Timms, will be co-produced with disabled people and organisations representing them and is expected to be concluded by Autumn 2026.
The government had already stated that existing PIP claimants and those receiving Carer’s Allowance will remain protected. Any future changes to PIP will only be considered once the review is finished.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK says:
Unpaid carers will be hugely relieved that the Government has recognised the harmful impact the proposed changes to PIP could have on whole families.
Legislating for a system that would be under review would have been entirely in the wrong order.
These proposals have caused untold stress and worry for many thousands of carers. It's the right decision to ensure that the Timms review of PIP is concluded and that the implications for unpaid carers are known before the Government takes any further steps.
She goes on to say:
Unpaid carers support is worth a staggering £184 billion a year and yet they can be thrown into poverty, face poorer health and lower life-chances as a result of caring. Most have no choice about providing unpaid care. They have been badly scarred by this Bill and welfare reforms, and it's time that we made things better, not worse for unpaid carers."
Kelly Hodgson, Project Lead at We Care You Care, adds:
“We’re really pleased the government has decided to hold off on changes to PIP until the full review is finished. This is a much-needed step in the right direction. At We Care You Care, we back any changes that genuinely support unpaid carers and disabled people across South Tees. Carers do incredible work every day, often without choice and at personal cost, and they — along with the people they care for — deserve a system that works for them, not against them.”
