The Department for Work and Pensions has abandoned plans for a 'quite controversial' Personal Independence Payment (PIP) rule change, as confirmed by BBC Morning Live star Laura Pomfret.
DWP Scraps Four-Point PIP Rule
During the Wednesday, May 13 episode of BBC Morning Live, hosts Gethin Jones, Helen Skelton, and Michelle Ackerley discussed the DWP's proposed changes to PIP with Laura Pomfret. The DWP and the Labour Party government, led by Sir Keir Starmer, have been under pressure to reform PIP due to the rising welfare bill. From July last year, the government had proposed significant cuts to welfare.
Now, the DWP has officially abandoned the controversial 'four-point rule' for PIP. This rule would have required claimants to achieve a minimum of four points within a single daily living activity category to be eligible for the benefit.
Laura Pomfret's Statement
Ms Pomfret stated: 'For those people wondering about the four-point rule, this has been scrapped. This was quite controversial. A lot of people had a lot to say on it. It was the plan to make people score at least four points in one daily living activity to qualify for PIP. This idea has been scrapped completely. So, it will not form part of the review. It's not going ahead.'
She added that any future changes to the criteria, which could still emerge from the ongoing review, will be communicated in Autumn.
Campaigner Reactions
Disability campaigners, including the forum Benefits and Work, had urged the DWP to drop the plan. They warned against the four-point system, which they argued would have made it harder for many disabled people to qualify for PIP.
Benefits and Work commented: 'The Timms review, which the government claims will ensure that PIP is fit for the future, will finally begin work in February 2026, after appointing 12 members to a steering committee and providing them all with a period of induction in January. It is due to report in Autumn 2026. It is widely feared that Labour still hopes to use the findings of the Timms review as a justification for another attempt at imposing PIP cuts.'
What the Review Will Cover
The Timms Review will examine the assessment criteria, including activities, descriptors, and associated points. It will consider both the Daily Living and Mobility elements of the PIP assessment.
