Calls are mounting for Andy Burnham to scrap Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for four common conditions after Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures revealed over four million people now claim the benefit. More than 87,000 claimants are aged 16 or 17, with nearly two-thirds—around 60,000—claiming for anxiety, depression, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Timms Review Declares PIP Not Fit for Purpose
A recent review by Sir Stephen Timms, the Cabinet minister leading the government's assessment, concluded that PIP is no longer adequate. The interim report, published earlier this year, stated the benefit as designed in 2013 is not fit for purpose. Final recommendations are expected this autumn, which will lay the foundation for reform.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith criticised the current system, telling the Sun: "Today, Britain’s welfare system is failing everyone. It is failing taxpayers, who are being asked to fund a bill rising faster than almost any other major area of public spending. It is failing those who get up early, work hard, pay their taxes and still find that someone out of work can receive the equivalent of a salary they themselves do not take home. And it is failing claimants themselves. Welfare should be a ladder."
Burnham's Stance on Welfare Reform
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester and a potential future Labour leader, has indicated he would not be "squeamish" about reducing the welfare bill but insisted it would not be through "crude cuts". He told The Times: "It is not the traditional Westminster way of just crude cuts, short-term cuts that then create a backlash and create more political turbulence. It is actually going to do things that will reduce the benefits bill, moving towards a more preventative state that makes the right investments to support people into work."
Burnham's comments come amid a wider debate over disability benefits, with some arguing that the current system disincentivises work. The Timms review highlighted that PIP was originally designed to help with the extra costs of disability, but has expanded beyond its intended scope.
Government Response and Mental Health Investment
A government spokesperson defended the benefit, stating: "Personal independence payment is an in and out of work benefit, to help with the extra costs of disability and health conditions. The Timms Review Interim Report is clear that PIP, as designed in 2013, is no longer fit for purpose, and the final recommendations due this autumn will lay the foundation for reform."
The spokesperson also highlighted record investment in mental health services: "We are investing a record £16.1billion in NHS mental health services this year to ensure every person gets the mental health support they need as early as possible and have met our target to hire 8500 more mental health workers, three years early."
Impact on Young Claimants
The high number of teenage claimants has raised concerns about the welfare system's role in supporting young people with mental health conditions. According to the Times analysis, out of the 87,000 claimants aged 16-17, about 60,000 receive PIP for mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, autism, and ADHD. Critics argue that this reflects a failure to provide adequate early mental health support, pushing young people onto benefits.
As the Timms Review finalises its recommendations, all eyes are on Burnham and the government to see how they will balance fiscal responsibility with support for vulnerable individuals. The outcome could reshape the welfare landscape for millions of claimants.
