'PIP is not a gift' says Northampton disability campaigner
Ms Lincoln from Northampton, has multiple health conditions including autism, ADHD and Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).Without the payments, the 29-year-old said she would struggle with expenses including transport, carers fees and maintaining the house she rents. She has been made homeless twice and worries that without the payments, this could happen again.
The reforms are designed to reduce the overall working-age welfare bill by about £5bn a year by the end of the decade. The benefit, which is paid to people with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability, is set to be reduced by 50% in cash terms for new claimants from April 2026. Speaking at a conference in north Wales, Sir Keir Starmer said fixing a "broken" benefits system needed to be done because it was "failing people every day". He said: "Fixing it is a moral imperative, but we need to do it in a Labour way."Whereas Bowie, 17, who is autistic, ADHD and has undiagnosed poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), they believe the cuts are "extremely dangerous and are going to hurt thousands of people". While Pip aims to create a level playing field, they think this will create a two-tier system.They said: "It's ridiculous for the average person to understand the system."It's been extremely stressful not knowing if my government, a Labour government at that, are going to stop us from living like the rest of society, it's a very scary feeling... trying to remain optimistic that we can change it is a struggle to say the least."
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Wales Online
18 minutes ago
- Wales Online
PIP changes explained with fears it will hugely impact Wales
PIP changes explained with fears it will hugely impact Wales What the PIP changes could mean for benefits claimants in Wales ahead of crunch vote Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall arrives in Downing Street for today's cabinet meeting ahead of the crucial welfare reform vote (Image: PA ) MPs will tonight vote on UK Government plans to reform welfare payments. It comes after a climbdown by the Labour administration after huge public outcry and facing a huge rebellion from its own MPs. At its height more than 100 Labour MPs said they would vote against their own government, but that has reduced to 39 Labour backbenchers since changes were announced. Wales' four Plaid Cymru MPs have also backed the amendment, which will be voted on. The proposals were hugely controversial. While the UK Government say reform is needed, critics said they were being rushed through and had not consulted charities or disabled people who will be impacted. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall told the Commons: "Welfare reform, let's be honest, is never easy, perhaps especially for Labour governments. Our social security system directly touches the lives of millions of people and it is something we all care deeply about. "We have listened to the concerns that have been raised to help us get these changes right. The Bill protects people already claiming PIP, it protects in real terms the incomes of people already receiving the UC (universal credit) health top-up from that benefit and their standard allowance, and it protects those with severe lifelong conditions who will never work, and those near the end of their life as we promised we would." The Welsh Government had criticised the plans, with senior minister Jane Hutt writing to Ms Kendall saying there needed to be a review of the plans. Once the climbdown was announced, it was welcomed by First Minister Eluned Morgan. She said: "Around 200,000 people could have been in real trouble, and they've listened, they've learned and they've acted – and that is something I think we should welcome." Article continues below What is PIP? Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a non-means-tested benefit intended to help with extra costs arising from long-term disability or ill-health which was introduced in 2013. It replaced Disability Living Allowance for people of working age. PIP is made up of two components: a mobility component, based on an individual's ability to get around; and a 'daily living' component, based on ability to carry out other key activities necessary to be able to participate in daily life. Each component can be awarded at either standard, enhanced, or nil (where they receive nothing). What was proposed? The UK Government had proposed sweeping changes that were deeply unpopular there were two main elements: Increasing the basic 'standard allowance' of Universal Credit that all claimants receive, while reducing the generosity of the additional amounts for claimants with disabilities and health conditions that affect their capability for work In terms of PIP, changes to the way eligibility is calculated - claimants would need to score four or more points for at least one of the 'daily living' activities that determine entitlement to the daily living component Now what is happening? The UK Government announced two major changes the new Personal Independence Payment daily living 'four-point' requirement will only be implemented for new claimants from November 2026 existing recipients of the Universal Credit health element, and any new claimant meeting the criteria for the most severe and lifelong conditions, will "have their incomes fully protected in real terms" Why is it so important in Wales? There was a lack of official government data about exactly who would be impacted in Wales but it was widely commented that there would be a disproportionate impact in Wales because Wales has higher rates of disabled people of working age than the UK average. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation highlighted the constituencies where cuts to sickness and disability benefits will fall most heavily which showed of the top 20 constituencies in England and Wales with the highest proportion of the working age population in receipt of health-related social security, eight are in Wales (and 10 out of the top 30) which suggested changing PIP would have a disproportionate impact on disabled people in Wales. In fact, Welsh Government minister Jane Hutt wrote to her UK Government counterpart and said that element needed to be reviewed. "The proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments should be reviewed before any changes are made," she wrote. Policy in Practice estimated there will be substantial increases in poverty and financial hardship for working age households in Wales. The original plans would have impacted an estimated 190,000 people in Wales (6.1% of the population) and see £470m lost from the Welsh economy. Victoria Winckler, director of The Bevan Foundation, said it would "increase social inequality, and exacerbating already entrenched poverty in Wales". Are the changes better news? There are still concerns that the row back is going to create a two-tier system and younger disabled people and those who become disabled in the future will be disadvantaged and denied access to work and education. The concessions by the UK Government have seen a number of the Welsh MPs who had signed an amendment which looked set to sink the government plans has decreased. While Plaid Cymru's four MPs have signed the amendment, only one of the five Labour MPs who had originally put their names to it have kept there, that's Steve Witherden, the MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr. However, a huge number of charity groups say the changes don't go far enough. Since the revisions, groups and charities including Citizens Advice, The Poverty Alliance and The Salvation Army have co-signed a letter saying they want the bill withdrawn. There has not, the groups say, been enough consultation. That was echoed by Luke Young, head of policy at Citizens Advice who asked MPs to vote against the bill. "The UK government's own impact assessment says the cuts will plunge 150,000 people into poverty by the end of this Parliament. Even this is an underestimate of the potential impact. If this Bill is passed, then by 2030 it will have cut PIP for more than 400,000 disabled people and Universal Credit for more than 700,000 people who are disabled or have a long-term health condition. Article continues below "We know Wales will be disproportionately affected, with communities such as Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Neath Port Talbot being hardest hit. It will push more people toward already stretched public services and into to food banks, as they find even less support available under a new three tier system."
Glasgow Times
33 minutes ago
- Glasgow Times
PM braced for revolt over welfare after defending his record of a year in power
Some 39 Labour MPs have indicated they will vote to halt an overhaul of the benefits system on Tuesday evening, though that number is far lower than the 83 needed to overturn the Prime Minister's working majority. However, more are expected to join them in what could be the largest revolt of Sir Keir's time in office. Ahead of the parliamentary showdown, the Prime Minister insisted at a meeting with his senior ministers that the Government could look back with a 'real sense of pride and achievement' as the July 5 anniversary of his first year in office nears. Ministers have given working people a 'chance to thrive, not just survive', Sir Keir also told the Cabinet meeting, according to a No 10 spokesman. Downing Street pointed to trade deals, economic growth, the extra long-term investment in the spending review, and a cut in NHS waiting lists among the Government's achievements one year on. The spokesman added: '(The Prime Minister) said the Government's work is all designed and focused on improving the lives of working people and giving them the chance to thrive, not just survive, and the Government should be proud of those achievements as a team.' Cabinet ministers, and even Sir Keir himself, were said to be involved in efforts to persuade Labour MPs not to join the rebels ahead of the crunch Commons debate. Ministers hope a partial U-turn on the benefit cuts, which will protect existing claimants of personal independence payments (Pip) and the health element of universal credit, will be enough to win over Labour rebels. As the second reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill began in the Commons, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said reforms to the welfare system are needed to ensure its longevity. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall arrives in Downing Street, London, for a Cabinet meeting (Stefan Rousseau/PA) 'I do not believe that this is sustainable if we want a welfare state that protects people who most need our help for generations to come,' the senior minister said. She added: 'There is no responsibility in leaving our system of social security to continue as it is, and risk support for it becoming so frayed that it is no longer there to provide a safety net for those who can never work, and who most need our help and support.' To see off the threat of far greater rebellion by some 126 Labour MPs led by Treasury Committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier, the Government last week softened the impact of its changes to protect some 370,000 existing Pip claimants who had been set to lose out following reassessment. Ministers also committed to a review of the system, involving disabled people and led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms, and unfreezing the higher universal credit rate for those already claiming the health-related element. As a result of the U-turn, the reforms are expected to save less than half the £5 billion the Government had expected from its initial proposals. In the Commons, Ms Kendall faced warnings the Timms review could be published after the reforms themselves are implemented. She insisted any changes to be made following the review will be done so 'as soon as is practically possible via primary or secondary legislation', though Downing Street would earlier not guarantee Sir Stephen's review would be completed by the time reforms are implemented. No 10 was also insistent that Government modelling, which predicts the welfare proposals will push 150,000 more people into poverty by 2030, was 'subject to uncertainty'. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the Government's plans were 'driven not by principle but by panic'. Indicating that the Tories will not support the Government, Mrs Badenoch told the Commons: 'By 2030, on this Government's spending plans, we will hit £100 billion on health and disability benefits alone, that is more than what we spend on defence, and this should make everyone in this House stop and think, because this Bill does nothing to fix that problem, and that is why we cannot support it.' She described the Bill as a 'fudge', adding: 'A fundamental and serious programme to reform our welfare system is required, and this Bill is not it.' Rachael Maskell, the leading force of the rebellion which seeks to halt the Bill in its tracks on Tuesday night, urged MPs to join her in the voting lobbies. Labour MP Rachael Maskell (York Central) is leading the latest rebel amendment.(Richard Townshend/UK Parliament) The York Central MP told the Commons: 'These Dickensian cuts belong to a different era and a different party. 'They are far from what this Labour Party is for, a party to protect the poor, as is my purpose, for I am my brother's keeper.' Ahead of the Commons debate, Ms Maskell indicated she believed 'many more' Labour MPs than the 39 who had signed her 'reasoned amendment' would join her in rebelling. The Liberal Democrats are also expected to back the rebel amendment, the party's work and pensions spokesman Steve Darling told the Commons. Ministers have been coy about whether rebel Labour MPs will face disciplinary action, with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds telling broadcasters he was 'not aware' they would lose the party whip, but said 'those issues are for the chief whip'. Whatever people's views about the concessions, surely everyone can see the process here is ALL wrong? Third Reading in eight days? A timetable like that diminishes the role of MPs in getting this legislation right, shuts out disabled people and puts too many at risk. — Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) July 1, 2025 Elsewhere, critic of the Bill Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, hit out at the parliamentary process it will undergo, claiming it was all wrong. On social media site X, he wrote: 'Third Reading in eight days? A timetable like that diminishes the role of MPs in getting this legislation right, shuts out disabled people and puts too many at risk.'
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
PM braced for revolt over welfare after defending his record of a year in power
Some 39 Labour MPs have indicated they will vote to halt an overhaul of the benefits system on Tuesday evening, though that number is far lower than the 83 needed to overturn the Prime Minister's working majority. However, more are expected to join them in what could be the largest revolt of Sir Keir's time in office. Ahead of the parliamentary showdown, the Prime Minister insisted at a meeting with his senior ministers that the Government could look back with a 'real sense of pride and achievement' as the July 5 anniversary of his first year in office nears. Ministers have given working people a 'chance to thrive, not just survive', Sir Keir also told the Cabinet meeting, according to a No 10 spokesman. Downing Street pointed to trade deals, economic growth, the extra long-term investment in the spending review, and a cut in NHS waiting lists among the Government's achievements one year on. The spokesman added: '(The Prime Minister) said the Government's work is all designed and focused on improving the lives of working people and giving them the chance to thrive, not just survive, and the Government should be proud of those achievements as a team.' Cabinet ministers, and even Sir Keir himself, were said to be involved in efforts to persuade Labour MPs not to join the rebels ahead of the crunch Commons debate. Ministers hope a partial U-turn on the benefit cuts, which will protect existing claimants of personal independence payments (Pip) and the health element of universal credit, will be enough to win over Labour rebels. As the second reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill began in the Commons, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said reforms to the welfare system are needed to ensure its longevity. 'I do not believe that this is sustainable if we want a welfare state that protects people who most need our help for generations to come,' the senior minister said. She added: 'There is no responsibility in leaving our system of social security to continue as it is, and risk support for it becoming so frayed that it is no longer there to provide a safety net for those who can never work, and who most need our help and support.' To see off the threat of far greater rebellion by some 126 Labour MPs led by Treasury Committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hillier, the Government last week softened the impact of its changes to protect some 370,000 existing Pip claimants who had been set to lose out following reassessment. Ministers also committed to a review of the system, involving disabled people and led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms, and unfreezing the higher universal credit rate for those already claiming the health-related element. As a result of the U-turn, the reforms are expected to save less than half the £5 billion the Government had expected from its initial proposals. In the Commons, Ms Kendall faced warnings the Timms review could be published after the reforms themselves are implemented. She insisted any changes to be made following the review will be done so 'as soon as is practically possible via primary or secondary legislation', though Downing Street would earlier not guarantee Sir Stephen's review would be completed by the time reforms are implemented. No 10 was also insistent that Government modelling, which predicts the welfare proposals will push 150,000 more people into poverty by 2030, was 'subject to uncertainty'. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said the Government's plans were 'driven not by principle but by panic'. Indicating that the Tories will not support the Government, Mrs Badenoch told the Commons: 'By 2030, on this Government's spending plans, we will hit £100 billion on health and disability benefits alone, that is more than what we spend on defence, and this should make everyone in this House stop and think, because this Bill does nothing to fix that problem, and that is why we cannot support it.' She described the Bill as a 'fudge', adding: 'A fundamental and serious programme to reform our welfare system is required, and this Bill is not it.' Rachael Maskell, the leading force of the rebellion which seeks to halt the Bill in its tracks on Tuesday night, urged MPs to join her in the voting lobbies. The York Central MP told the Commons: 'These Dickensian cuts belong to a different era and a different party. 'They are far from what this Labour Party is for, a party to protect the poor, as is my purpose, for I am my brother's keeper.' Ahead of the Commons debate, Ms Maskell indicated she believed 'many more' Labour MPs than the 39 who had signed her 'reasoned amendment' would join her in rebelling. The Liberal Democrats are also expected to back the rebel amendment, the party's work and pensions spokesman Steve Darling told the Commons. Ministers have been coy about whether rebel Labour MPs will face disciplinary action, with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds telling broadcasters he was 'not aware' they would lose the party whip, but said 'those issues are for the chief whip'. Whatever people's views about the concessions, surely everyone can see the process here is ALL wrong? Third Reading in eight days? A timetable like that diminishes the role of MPs in getting this legislation right, shuts out disabled people and puts too many at risk. — Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) July 1, 2025 Elsewhere, critic of the Bill Andy Burnham, the Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, hit out at the parliamentary process it will undergo, claiming it was all wrong. On social media site X, he wrote: 'Third Reading in eight days? A timetable like that diminishes the role of MPs in getting this legislation right, shuts out disabled people and puts too many at risk.'
