The Department for Work and Pensions has been urged to stop paying Personal Independence Payment to 71,000 state pensioners with back pain, as new figures reveal a surge in claims. Under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, the DWP's latest caseload statistics show that 276,725 people now claim PIP for back pain in England and Wales, accounting for an estimated £1.89 billion of the total £26 billion PIP bill. The overall number of PIP claimants has reached four million, with costs expected to double to £45 billion by 2031.
Pensioner Claims Rising
Among those claiming for back pain, 70,556 are aged 65 or older, costing an estimated £491 million per year. In 2019, pensioners made up just 15% of back pain claimants, but today they represent 26%. Under current DWP rules, PIP continues when a claimant reaches State Pension age, and most people cannot make a new claim after that point unless they had a previous award stopped within the last year or are switching from Disability Living Allowance.
Jonathan Eida, a researcher at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers are breaking their backs funding the country's crushing benefits bill. When every week adds hundreds more to the list, and scammers are caught coaching football while claiming they can't walk, it's clear the system is broken. The Government must tighten the criteria and ensure disability welfare only goes to those who truly cannot support themselves.'
Timms Review Expected
The government is awaiting the Timms Review's final report and recommendations this autumn. Prime Minister Burnham and Chancellor John Healey will receive the findings, which filed an interim report two weeks ago, before the Makerfield MP became the new Prime Minister. The review is expected to propose reforms to contain the spiralling PIP costs.
