Households receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) have received a major update on possible changes to the benefit, as the King's Speech on Wednesday outlined the Government's plans for the next 12 months without including a welfare bill. This omission means major reforms to PIP, the main disability benefit claimed by four million people in the UK, are now not expected until at least mid-2027.
Labour had previously set out plans to cut the benefit for some claimants but was forced to pause them under pressure from angry backbenchers. The current political crisis engulfing Labour, which could see Keir Starmer removed from Downing Street, adds further uncertainty to the future of welfare reforms.
PIP Review Continues
Despite the delay, a key stage of the PIP review remains ongoing. The 'Call for Evidence' period ends on May 28, and review leaders are urging as many PIP claimants as possible to share their experiences. The review aims to gather insights on "what works, what does not, who is being missed, and what needs to change."
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, who is leading the review, said: "PIP affects people’s everyday lives, independence, and ability to manage extra costs, so it is essential that this review is informed by a diversity of experiences, evidence, and perspectives. We are grateful for the time, thought and experience people are contributing, and we will continue to work to ensure this review is informed by the widest possible range of voices."
Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, co-chair of the review, added: "PIP is not just a benefit. It is part of how many disabled people live with dignity, independence and choice. That is why this review must be shaped by people who know the system from the inside. We need to hear what works, what does not, who is being missed, and what needs to change. This engagement programme matters because good evidence is not only about data. It is about real lives, real barriers and practical recommendations that can make the system fairer and fit for the future."
PIP claimants are advised to wait and see how developments unfold in the coming months, with the immediate focus on the May 28 deadline for submitting evidence.
