PIP reforms have been put on hold until a comprehensive review of the benefit has been completed.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recently confirmed no changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be applied until after a “comprehensive review” of the disability benefit has been completed, expected to be by next Autumn.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms will co-produce the review with input from disabled people, organisations, experts and other stakeholders. His comments came in a written response to Conservative MP, Blake Stephenson, who asked about the “potential impact of the Personal Independence Payments Bill on public finances”.
Sir Stephen explained: “Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would have amended the legal framework underpinning PIP assessments, specifically by implementing a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP.”
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He continued: “In light of the concerns raised, we have removed clause 5 from the Bill in Committee.
“Any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, led by myself and co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard.
“This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future.”
Disability benefit claimants in Scotland
The Scottish Government confirmed in September that planned changes to the eligibility process for PIP will not impact those on Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
At the end of July, some 484,055 disabled people were in receipt of ADP.
The Scottish Government recently announced that transfers of PIP awards to ADP for all claimants living north of the border has now been completed.
Last month, Labour MP Euan Stainbank asked the DWP whether there have been any discussions with the Scottish Government on the “potential long-term impact of changes to PIP eligibility on people in Scotland who are in receipt of Adult Disability Payment” and the “interaction between reserved and devolved systems”.
In a written response to the Falkirk MP, Sir Stephen Timms said the DWP is “committed to working closely with the devolved governments throughout the Timms review”.
The DWP Minister said: “The government has launched a comprehensive review of the PIP assessment, to ensure it is fair and fit for the future. I shall lead the review, and it will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard.
“We are committed to working closely with the devolved governments throughout the Timms review.
“In the course of my stakeholder engagement, I have spoken to disability stakeholders from Scotland, to draw on devolved government perspectives in designing the work of the review. We will continue to engage disability stakeholders from across the UK throughout the review.”
September marked the third anniversary of ADP being available across Scotland and the complete transfer of PIP to the devolved benefit represents the delivery of an entirely new approach to disability assistance based on ‘dignity, fairness and respect’.
Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said: “The transfer to Adult Disability Payment from PIP was a monumental challenge that we’ve delivered for people across Scotland.
“Nearly 350,000 individuals had their data safely and securely moved from the DWP’s systems to ours without having to make a new application for assistance. We also ensured there was no break in their payments.”
She added: “The achievement of our ambitious plan to deliver an entirely new approach to disability assistance rooted in compassion.
“That approach will continue to be at the heart of social security in Scotland. That is why I can assure people the Scottish Government will not cut Adult Disability Payment. We will never seek to balance the books on the backs of disabled people.”
Ms Somerville also said: “While the UK Government has caused so much anxiety for disabled people in recent months, that is not an approach the Scottish Government will take. We will ensure disabled people will get the support they are entitled to and be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.”
The Scottish Government estimates that ADP will support 612,000 people by 2028/29, providing financial support of almost £4.5 billion.
