Latest news with #GreenPaper
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
DWP denies claim they considered cuts for wheelchair users in welfare clampdown
Scottish Labour figures are said to have ensured mobility claims would be unaffected by the welfare bill, which will be voted on tonight The DWP has denied claims they considered including wheelchair users in a welfare clampdown. The Record was told senior Scottish Labour figures ensured people with mobility problems were spared from the cuts ahead of the original plans being published earlier this year. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall initially proposed around £5bn of cuts to sickness and disability benefits in a bid to get costs under control. But a major Labour rebellion forced a rethink and the cuts will only apply to future claimants, exempting people currently on benefits. The crunch vote on the welfare bill takes place this evening. Part of the savings plan is restricting eligibility for Personal Independent Payment (PIP), which is awarded to people with a disability or mental health condition. There are two elements to PIP: a daily living part, and a mobility 'payment' for people who need help with getting around. The Kendall plan will make it harder for new claimants to receive the daily living part of PIP by tightening eligibility through a new points system. The mobility component is exempt from the changes, but the Record was told including people with walking difficulties was discussed ahead of the announcement in March. Scottish Labour figures are said to have successfully argued for mobility not to be part of the new system. However, a DWP spokesperson said: 'We're delivering one of the biggest and most ambitious packages of welfare reforms in a generation to put the system on a sustainable footing and ensure the safety net will always be there for those who need it.' 'Changes to mobility rules were never considered as part of this and we continue to work with devolved administrations to ensure their views are at the heart of what we do, which is why we held Green Paper consultation events in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.' PIP is devolved to Holyrood, but any cuts will impact on the Scottish Parliament's social security budget. SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn MP said: 'The parliamentary maths are becoming clear - Scottish Labour MPs now hold the power and have the numbers to stop this bill and stop the Labour Government's attack on disabled people. 'This legislation, which would create a cruel two-tier disability system, is an attack on disabled people and its fate now rests in the hands of Scottish Labour MPs. The choice ahead of those Scottish Labour MPs is simple – they can either support Keir Starmer's cuts or they can support disabled people. 'This is a test of fairness and a test of values – how can any MP vote for a system that means if you have an accident that causes a disability, develop a disability over time or if you have a child with a disability, you will receive less support than those who have come before you.' Green MSP Maggie Chapman said: 'The whole premise for these welfare reforms is based on ableist misinformation and a toxic attempt to score political points over Nigel Farage. ' New claimants will still be subjected to the new, harsher assessment regime, and will not receive the benefits they need and deserve."
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
PIP assessment tips for people due a consultation over the phone, in-person or by video call
DWP plans to increase the number of face-to-face assessments, but will still offer alternative consultation methods. The UK Government recently announced planned changes to eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will not affect existing claimants and will only apply to people making a new claim for the disability benefit from November 2026. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) also said it will work with disability groups to create a 'fairer' welfare system. However, proposals in the 'Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working' Green Paper also include increasing the number of face-to-face PIP assessments for new and existing claimants due an award review. Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, also recently confirmed that the DWP remains 'committed to enabling a multi-channel assessment approach' but the focus will be on ramping up in-person PIP assessments. DWP will continue to offer telephone and video calling consultations. He added that 'the feasibility of a paper-based assessment will always be considered in the first instance, for all cases' adding that 'where a paper-based review is not possible the claimant will be invited to an assessment '. In his written response to Liberal Democrat MP Chris Coghlan, he went on to say that before an invitation to an assessment is sent, 'consideration will be given to claimants who need a specific assessment channel due to their health condition or circumstances'. Sir Stephen continued: 'Other claimants who can undertake any assessment type will be allocated to the next available appointment; however, this can be changed if the claimant informs us that a reasonable adjustment is appropriate in their circumstances. 'The Department audits Functional Assessment Service suppliers to ensure that the correct PIP assessment channel type has been selected for the claimant. This provides assurance that claimants are routed to the most appropriate assessment type.' PIP Assessment Providers Online guidance enables people due a health assessment to check which provider will conduct their assessment. You can check using your area or postcode on here. If you are due a PIP assessment or Work Capability Assessment (WCA), it will be conducted by the following company: Scotland (WCA only) and North England: Maximus UK Services Limited (previously Atos) Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (previously Capita) South West England: Serco (previously Atos) South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (previously Atos) Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (previously Capita) What is a PIP assessment? The PIP assessment is an opportunity for you to talk about how your condition affects you - it's not a diagnosis of your condition or a medical examination. The DWP will take into consideration evidence from the assessment to decide if you should be awarded PIP. A health professional will carry out your assessment, write a report and send it to the DWP decision maker. If you are waiting on a review, it's a good idea to have a copy of your PIP evidence form with you for telephone, video and face-to-face assessments. That way you can refer back to it, especially if it was completed a few years ago. Talking about how your condition affects you A helpful guide on the Citizens Advice website says you should be prepared to talk about how your condition affects you even if you've already detailed it on your PIP evidence form (the PIP2 document). This can be hard to do, but it will really help if you can talk about: the kind of things you have difficulty with, or can't do at all - for example, walking up steps without help or remembering to go to appointments how your condition affects you from day to day what a bad day is like for you - for example, 'On a bad day, I can't walk at all because my injured leg hurts so much' or 'On a bad day, I'm so depressed I can't concentrate on anything' Observations on what you say and do during the assessment The assessor will use the information you gave on your PIP claim form but also draw opinions from what you say and do on the day. For example, they might ask you how you got to the centre for a face-to-face assessment - if you say you came on the bus, without further clarification, they could make a note stating you can travel alone on public transport - unless you highlight otherwise. You might also be asked to carry out some physical tasks during the face-to-face assessment. Don't feel you have to do things you wouldn't normally be able to do. If you do them on assessment day, the assessor may think you can always do them, so if you're not comfortable with something - say so. During the telephone assessment you may be asked to describe how you complete simple tasks such as preparing and cooking food, getting washed and dressed and how you move around outside the home. Don't rush to respond, remember they are looking at your claim form and asking the same questions you have already answered. Pause, reflect and reply Break your answer down and take them through how you complete tasks step-by-step to paint an accurate picture of how your disability or health condition affects you. What may seem like a drawn out process for you, will demonstrate exactly how you accomplish tasks to the assessor - so don't try to speed up or simplify how you get things done. The assessor will also make a note of your mental state during the assessment - for example, they will record whether you look or sound depressed or happy, tense or relaxed and how you cope with social interaction. Things to remember during the assessment Don't let the assessor rush you and try not to just answer 'yes' or 'no' to their questions Always try to explain how doing something would make you feel afterwards and the impact it can have on you if you had to do it repeatedly in a short period of time You can have someone with you while you do the assessment over the phone, on the video call or in person, just remember to put the call on loudspeaker and advise the assessor who is with you. Taking someone with you to a face-to-face assessment for support The DWP has guidance on attending an assessment, which you can find on the website here. You can take someone with you into the actual assessment if they are 16 or over. This could be anyone who makes you feel more comfortable, like a friend, relative or carer. If you want, they can take part in discussions and make notes for you. Before going to a face-to-face assessment Check with your assessment provider that your assessment centre has everything you need - if it doesn't, you can ask for it. This can help make you feel more comfortable on the day. Here are a few examples: ask if you will have to go upstairs, and if there's a lift that can accommodate a wheelchair if you need one ask how roomy the centre is if you get anxious in enclosed spaces - if the rooms or corridors are small, tell them this could make you anxious and see what they can offer you ask for an interpreter or signer if you need one - do this at least two working days before your assessment so they have time to organise it ask for the person carrying out the assessment to be the same gender as you, if that's important to you ask if you can make an audio recording of the assessment - you must do this three days before your assessment and ask your provider about the rules for using recording equipment Changing the venue If the location of your face-to-face assessment is more than 90 minutes away by public transport and you have difficulty travelling long distances, you might be offered an alternative location or home visit. Again, refer to the published guidance on as it includes travel restriction advice for Scotland, England and Wales.
Daily Mirror
17-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
13-week PIP transition period due to be confirmed
Details about how recipients will be transitioned to the new criteria for PIP is slowly being revealed An MP has shed light on the government's Green Paper proposals for Welfare Reform, with the Department for Work and Pensions poised to unveil further details about the Welfare Reform Bill, including a "transitional period". This interim phase is designed to for people set to lose their Personal Independence Payments due to the reforms. Dr Simon Opher, a GP and the MP for Stroud, disclosed on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, as reported by Daily Record, that a transitional phase will be introduced, allowing recipients to continue receiving payments for 13 weeks before their benefit is terminated. This means that those affected by the benefit cuts will still receive their entitlements for 13 weeks beyond the initial cut-off date, offering them time to prepare and budget for the end of their benefits. Carers, who are at risk of losing their Carer's Allowance when the person they care for loses PIP, will also continue to receive their allowance throughout the 13-week transition, until the PIP award ends. Dr Opher expressed his intention "to rebel" against these proposals in an imminent vote, marking the first occasion he plans to oppose the Government. He indicated that several of his colleagues are contemplating similar actions. He acknowledged that the proposed transitional period has been extended from an initial four weeks. But he remains critical of the planned changes, describing it as nothing more than "a slight delay in the disability cuts". Explaining further, he added "It doesn't change the basic fact that they're planning to cut disability payments to quite a lot of people really. So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least." Since Liz Kendall confirmed the reform in March, there's been widespread outcry from MPs, disability charities, and PIP recipients against the upcoming changes set for November 2026. The Green Paper has launched a consultation period, urging the public to contribute their opinions on the undecided aspects of these reforms, pivotal among them being how benefits will be transitionally protected for those affected. In a bid to reduce costs while maintaining support through PIP for future claimants, the Government aims to save £5 billion each year by the end of this decade. Government impact assessments have indicated that approximately 250,000 people, 50,000 of whom are children throughout England, Scotland, and Wales, are at risk of slipping into relative poverty after housing expenses as a result of these policy shifts. This reformation will influence new applicants and current recipients undergoing reassessment for the daily living component of PIP. Under the new rules, claimants need to accumulate four points in any one of the categories to qualify during the assessment process. The assessments comprise ten categories with scoring based on the type of help, supervision, or equipment individuals necessitate to perform activities promptly, effectively, and safely. For instance, being able to prepare and cook a simple meal unaided is worth no points. But if you cannot prepare or cook food at all you could score up to eight points in that category. The reform proposes several other changes including:. Ending reassessments for disabled individuals who will never be able to work Abolishing the Work Capability Assessment Offering improved employment support to eliminate the barriers preventing disabled people from working Introducing legislation to protect those on health and disability benefits from reassessment or losing their payments if they take a chance on work
Daily Mirror
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
'A lot of people' to get DWP benefit cuts with 13-week rule coming
Dr Simon Opher, a GP and Labour MP for Stroud, said the protections were 'not very much really' A Labour MP has bluntly downplayed the Government's tactics to calm a revolt over welfare reductions, branding them as "not very much really". Dr Simon Opher, a GP and the MP for Stroud, told the BBC he's set to defy the party line in an impending vote, revealing that "a number of colleagues are in the same situation". Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to enforce "non-negotiable" safeguards into the Welfare Reform Bill, such as assuring those removed from personal independence payments (Pip) will continue receiving support for an extended period of 13 weeks. On BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday, Dr Opher highlighted the reality behind the changes: "It's a slight delay in the disability cuts – it's 13 weeks rather than four weeks – so it's something, but not very much really. "And it doesn't change the basic fact that they're... planning to cut disability payment to quite a lot of people really. So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least." The Government has encountered criticism from members of its own party regarding the proposed reforms intended to diminish the figure of working age people receiving sickness benefits. Only last month, a group of Labour MPs beseeched the Prime Minister to halt and re-evaluate the impending reductions, labelling the plans as "impossible to support". Asked about his stance on the upcoming vote in the Commons, Dr Opher told the programme: "I am going to rebel. And this comes hard to me, I've never actually voted against the Government and I know a number of colleagues in the same situation. So I just urge the Government really to just consider parts of this again." A Green Paper had initially introduced suggestions for a "transitional protection for those who are no longer eligible for Pip", yet the recent disclosures from the Government have now confirmed the duration as 13 weeks. Ms Kendall had previously told The Guardian: "When we set out our reforms we promised to protect those most in need, particularly those who can never work. "I know from my 15 years as a constituency MP how important this is. It is something I take seriously and will never compromise on. "That is why we are putting additional protections on the face of the Bill to support the most vulnerable and help people affected by the changes. "These protections will be written into law, a clear sign they are non-negotiable." The Government's own impact assessment released with the reform cautions that due to the alterations, approximately 250,000 individuals, which includes around 50,000 children throughout England, Scotland, and Wales might end up experiencing relative poverty post housing costs.
Leader Live
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Government plan to keep Pip payouts for 13 weeks ‘not very much', says MP
Dr Simon Opher, a GP and the MP for Stroud, told the BBC he is 'going to rebel' in a vote and 'a number of colleagues are in the same situation'. The 'non-negotiable' protections that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is to include in the Welfare Reform Bill are understood to include a guarantee that those who no longer qualify for personal independence payments (Pip) will still receive the payments for 13 weeks. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Saturday, Dr Opher said: 'It's a slight delay in the disability cuts – it's 13 weeks rather than four weeks – so it's something, but not very much really. 'And it doesn't change the basic fact that they're… planning to cut disability payment to quite a lot of people really. 'So not terribly impressed, but it's something at least.' The Government has faced a backlash from its own MPs over the package of measures, aimed at reducing the number of working age people on sickness benefits. Dozens of Labour MPs last month urged the Prime Minister to pause and reassess planned cuts, saying the proposals were 'impossible to support'. Asked whether he would rebel if the measures came to a vote in the Commons, Dr Opher told the programme: 'I am going to rebel. 'And this comes hard to me, I've never actually voted against the Government and I know a number of colleagues in the same situation. 'So I just urge the Government really to just consider parts of this again.' A Green Paper laid out proposals for a 'transitional protection for those who are no longer eligible for Pip', but the Government's plans revealed this week clarify the 13-week length. Ms Kendall told The Guardian earlier this week: 'When we set out our reforms we promised to protect those most in need, particularly those who can never work. 'I know from my 15 years as a constituency MP how important this is. It is something I take seriously and will never compromise on. 'That is why we are putting additional protections on the face of the Bill to support the most vulnerable and help people affected by the changes. 'These protections will be written into law, a clear sign they are non-negotiable.' A Government impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned that 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, across England, Scotland and Wales could fall into relative poverty after housing costs as a result of the changes.
