The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is considering a major overhaul of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) that could see claimants with back pain, arthritis, or mild anxiety receive less money. The proposals, reported by The Telegraph, form part of a “more tailored benefits programme” being examined by Sir Stephen Timms, the disabilities minister, under his Timms Review.
Timms Review Deems PIP Not Fit for Purpose
Sir Stephen’s interim report, published earlier this summer, concluded that the benefit—currently claimed by 4 million people—is “not fit for purpose.” The review is now exploring changes that would differentiate support levels based on the severity and type of condition, rather than providing a flat-rate payment for daily living needs.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) highlighted the current system’s flaws, stating: “Someone who cannot wash themselves and needs assistance dressing their upper body would currently get the same level of support for daily living as someone who cannot wash themselves, cannot dress themselves at all, cannot talk and cannot read.”
Rising Costs and Claimant Numbers
Official forecasts show the PIP disability bill is set to rise from £32bn this year to £41.4bn in real terms by the start of the next decade. The number of claimants is expected to grow from 4.1 million to 5.4 million by 2030, adding urgency to the reform efforts.
Disability Rights UK has responded to the publication of “emerging recommendations” by the co-chairs of the Timms PIP Review. The organisation noted some positives, including a statement that PIP will remain a non-means-tested benefit, improvements to communications, increased transparency of decision-making processes, and the long-overdue implementation of reasonable adjustments.
Concerns Over Mixed Support Model
However, Disability Rights UK expressed major concerns that a future PIP would no longer be a cash-only benefit for all recipients. Instead, some would receive a mixture of cash, services, and information, which the organisation fears could undermine the benefit’s simplicity and reliability.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “The Timms review interim report made clear that PIP is no longer fit for purpose. The recommendations from the final report, due in autumn, will pave the way for sustainable reform.”
The spokesman added that this comes on top of action the DWP is already taking to fix the broken welfare system, including increasing face-to-face assessments and extending award review periods. These measures are expected to deliver savings of around £2bn while removing unnecessary pressure on disabled people.
