Benefits bill passes – all the Universal Credit and PIP changes YOU need to know

Scottish Sun

20 hours ago

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DISABLED Brits would have faced stricter tests to qualify for support under the original benefits crackdown.
They would have needed to score at least four points in one activity like washing, dressing, or preparing food.
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Sir Keir Starmer had called the current benefits system unsustainable, indefensible and unfair
Credit: SWNS
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After more fury from the backbenches, the changes were shelved altogether with no date for when - or if - they'll happen
Credit: Alamy
Currently, people can qualify by scoring eight points across multiple tasks, making it easier to access the benefit.
Last week, ministers watered down the policy to apply only to new claimants after more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to revolt.
But after more fury from the backbenches, the changes were shelved altogether with no date for when - or if - they'll happen.
Disability benefits
Any proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments now won't kick in until after a review has taken place.
The PIP benefits - the main disability welfare payment for those with a disability - is subject to a review by Welfare Minister Sir Stephen Timms.
The benefit payments are in place to help those affected with daily tasks such as mobility.
Payments currently start at £1,500 but rise to £9,600 which are paid out even if someone is still working.
The daily living rate comes in at £73.90 for the lower rate and £110.40 for the higher rate.
Figures show that the mobility rate is worth £29.20 and rises to £77.05 for the higher rate.
Ministers have revealed that 1,000 people per day are claiming PIP - which is the equivalent of the size of Leicester every year.
Following a major rebellion, those who are now claiming PIP be able to claim the same amount of money.
But for new claimants from November 2026, there will be a set of stricter measures set out as the government aims to reduce spending on the benefits and get people back to work.
Review by Sir Stephen Timms to delay PIP changes
Welfare Minister Stephen Timms has told MPs that any changes to PIP eligibility will come in after his review has been published.
The major concession came just 90 minutes before MPs were due to vote. The Timms review is due to report in autumn 2026.
His four-point eligibility criteria has been dropped entirely from the legislation.
Now, disability groups will work with Timms on his review.
Universal Credit
More than three million recipients of Universal Credit don't have to find work due to their poor health.
A single person who is aged 25 or over can receive the basic level of UC which comes in at £400.14 every month.
But that can rise by a further £422.37 due to the incapacity top-up due to a disability or long-term condition - more than doubling the original payment.
The new plans mean that anyone up to the age of 22 will not be able to claim.
Existing claimants will get £97 per week until the end of the decade. But new claimants will only receive £50 a week in the next financial year.
Ministers had tried to freeze the payment for the next four years but a commitment has been made for it to go up with inflation.
Employment support package
Welfare Secretary Liz Kendall will spend an extra £300 million on employment support she insists is the biggest disability employment support package for a generation.
The cash will be spent on trying to get those claiming sickness benefits back into work. A total of £1 billion will be spent in 2028/29.