Latest news with #PersonalIndependencePaymentBill
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP full list of July benefit and pension payments revealed for 2025
The latest data from the DWP shows 24 million people claim some combination of DWP benefits, including 9.9 million people of working age, and 13 million of State Pension age If you claim benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or HMRC, then you may be wondering if your payments will arrive as expected in July. The latest data from the DWP shows 24 million people claim some combination of DWP benefits, including 9.9 million people of working age, and 13 million of State Pension age. We explain if any bank holidays will interrupt payments next month, and how often benefits, including the State Pension, are typically paid. It comes after Labour backed down on major changes to disability payments, after some 126 Labour backbenchers signed an amendment that would halt the new Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. The backtrack includes making it so people who currently receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or the health element of Universal Credit, will continue to do so. The original package had included tightening the eligibility for PIP, and cut the health-related element of Universal Credit. At the moment claimants need between eight and 11 points to get the standard daily living or mobility part of PIP. A higher rate is awarded to those who score 12 points or more. However, under changes, people will need a minimum of four points in at least one activity to qualify for the daily living part of PIP. Now, the changes to PIP eligibility will be implemented in November 2026 and apply to new claimants only while all existing recipients of the health element of Universal Credit will have their incomes protected in real terms. DWP and HMRC benefit payments in July All benefits from the DWP and HMRC should arrive on your normal payment date in July, as there are no bank holidays. You can find a full list of some of the most common benefit payments below, plus how often they are normally paid: Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks Carer's Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks, or weekly if you're a single parent or you or your partner get certain benefits Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks Income Support - Usually every two weeks Jobseeker's Allowance - Usually every two weeks Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks State Pension - Usually every four weeks Tax credits - Every four weeks or weekly Universal Credit - Every month State Pension payment dates in July The day your state pension is paid depends on the last two digits of your National Insurance number - you can see which days correlate to which day of the week below. The state pension is normally paid every four weeks. 00 to 19: Monday 20 to 39: Tuesday 40 to 59: Wednesday 60 to 79: Thursday 80 to 99: Friday
STV News
a day ago
- Business
- STV News
Starmer's welfare U-turn doesn't go far enough, warns Scottish charity
Scotland's leading advice charity has said Keir Starmer's welfare U-turn 'doesn't go anywhere near far enough'. The UK Government confirmed on Friday that it will make major concessions to backbench Labour rebels over planned benefit reforms. The UK Government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill originally wanted to cut Universal Credit health top-ups for new claims from April 2026, and scrap the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). The reforms also vowed to review Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments and 'focus PIP on those with higher needs', while consulting on plans to delay access to the health top-up in Universal Credit until someone is aged 22. The cuts to Universal Credit would have directly impacted benefit claimants in Scotland, while the other changes would have impacted the amount of money coming to Social Security Scotland for devolved benefits, like Adult Disability Payments, which replaced PIP for Scots. The Scottish Government would have been responsible for making decisions about welfare and disability benefits based on its budget. The welfare reforms sparked a major rebellion among Labour MPs at Westminster. Ahead of a crucial vote on Tuesday, 126 backbenchers signed their names to an amendment to halt the welfare reform legislation in its tracks. Among the rebels are nine Scottish Labour MPs. The rebellion is large enough to wipe out Labour's working majority in Parliament, and threatens the Prime Minister with defeat when the reforms are put to a vote. Keir Starmer originally doubled down and vowed to press ahead with his Government's proposed welfare changes, but on Friday, the work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that the Government was U-turning on some of their reforms to appease the more than 120 rebels. Under the concessions, Kendall said PIP claimants will continue to receive the benefits they currently get, as will recipients of the health element of universal credit. She said the planned benefit cuts will only hit future claimants. However, Citizens Advice Scotland has said the concessions are 'nowhere near enough'. 'Creating a two-tier system is highly problematic. It seems the UK Government's message is: you're ok if you are disabled today, but good luck if you become disabled tomorrow,' spokesperson Emma Jackson said. The charity said it also appears that none of the issues that the reforms pose for people in Scotland have been addressed – for example, guaranteeing the passporting capacity of the adult disability payment. Without that guarantee, Ms Jackson said 'huge uncertainty exists'. 'Social security is an investment in all of us that should act as both a safety net and springboard; enabling people to realise their potential and providing support during the challenges of life that any of us could experience,' Ms Jackson said. 'These reforms will rip gaping holes into the system that so many depend on. In a just and compassionate society, we cannot allow this to happen. 'We urge the UK Government to halt these reforms altogether and engage with meaningful consultation and co-design with disabled people.' A spokesperson for Number 10 said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system. 'Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Metro
a day ago
- Business
- Metro
What benefit cuts has Sir Keir Starmer backtracked on?
Sir Keir Starmer will mark his first year in government in eight days. But one of the Prime Minister's largest – and most controversial – policy plans is in tatters. Sir Keir hoped to save money and incentivise work by passing a bill making deep cuts to welfare, such as restricting who can access Personal Independence Payments (Pip). Disability and anti-poverty campaigners told Metro the plans would push more sick and disabled people into poverty, while 120 rebel Labour MPs have refused to vote for it. Yet the PM has been forced to do a humiliating U-turn after meeting with key rebels last night. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would tighten who can receive Pip, which is designed to support disabled people, whether or not they are in work. Pip is a two-part benefit – a sickness-related daily living component of at least £73.90 a week and a mobility component of at least £29.20. The former helps people who struggle to do tasks like cooking meals, using the toilet or washing and bathing. The Government wanted to limit who can access the daily living payment by increasing the eligibility requirements from November 26. Universal Credit, a bundle of various benefits, would also have been restricted under the plans. Claimants who have limited capacity to work because of a disability or long-term condition can get an extra top-up worth £423.27. The proposals would have restricted eligibility to those aged 22 and over. All in all, the measures would have seen 1,200,000 disabled people lose up to £6,300 by 2030. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall told rebel MPs that now, Pip and UC claimants will continue receiving what they currently get. Instead, only future claimants will face the higher eligibility requirements. A review into the welfare system involving disabled groups and a package of employment support measures has also been promised, according to The Guardian. A Downing Street spokesperson said: 'We have listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the system. 'This package will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a sustainable footing, provide dignity for those unable to work, supports those who can and reduce anxiety for those currently in the system. 'Our reforms are underpinned by Labour values and our determination to deliver the change the country voted for last year.' The rebels, for one, are relieved. One told The Guardian: 'They've offered massive concessions, which should be enough to get the bill over the line at second reading. Another added: 'We always wanted to protect the most vulnerable, not to destroy the bill or cause the government trouble. We always hoped there would be an off-ramp, and that's what we have now.' The selling point of the bill was simple – save £5billion. But the turnaround means that about £3billion will be saved instead, which economists warn won't give Chancellor Rachel Reeves much wiggle room in her Autumn statement. Tax rises or cuts elsewhere, they said, might be needed to plug the gap. Campaigners, however, had mixed feelings about the news. Ayla Ozmen, director of policy and campaigns at anti-poverty charity Z2K told Metro: 'It's right that the government has protected current PIP claimants, but we still have very serious concerns about the plans. 'The risk of trying work for current claimants could become even greater, as if it doesn't work out, people may risk being pushed into deep poverty with no way back. And for future claimants, the system will offer even less protection from poverty.' 'Instead of focusing on fending off a rebellion, the government must do what is right for disabled people and go back to the drawing board.' Charlotte Gill, the head of campaigns and public affairs at the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society, however, was ALSO unimpressed. She said: 'Instead of meaningful action, all they're doing is kicking the can down the road and delaying an inevitable disaster. 'Down the line, these cuts will still push more people into poverty and worsen people's health. We urge MPs not to be swayed by these last-ditch attempts to force through a harmful bill with supposed concessions. 'The only way to avoid a catastrophe today and in the future is to stop the cuts altogether by halting the bill in its tracks.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: I was punished for not telling my boss about my disability MORE: The secret choice Starmer has already made to save the UK from nuclear war MORE: If Britain went to war I wouldn't hesitate to enlist
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Voters expect a Labour government to reduce poverty not make it worse
Sir Keir's deputy Angela Rayner insisted the vote would go ahead on Wednesday but the government's defiant stance did not stop the numbers of rebels from ticking up. Now the government has confirmed talks are taking place about changing the reform package. Chancellor Rachel Reeves' finely balanced budgeting depends on the £5bn she says will be saved by 2030 through the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill. She also wants to prevent daunting projected increases in welfare spending down the line. Read more Rebecca McQuillan But deep concerns about the impact of the cuts on sick and disabled people has led the rebels to table an amendment which, if passed, would halt the bill in its tracks. With days still to go for more MPs to join the insurgency, the government can no longer be sure of winning – hence the dialogue. But even if they could, ignoring such a huge show of concern would be madness. That backbench disquiet would turn to anger and anger would turn into open mutiny. And all for the sake of a bill that, while leaving some claimants better off, would likely push others into poverty, possibly in their hundreds of thousands. Money must be saved, but no Labour government should be taking risks like that with people's lives. The insurgents have the advantage of being highly credible. They are drawn from across the party and feature heavyweight backbench figures including nine committee chairs such as Dame Meg Hillier, the respected head of the Treasury Select Committee, who proposed the amendment, and former Holyrood minister Patricia Ferguson, chair of the Scottish Affairs committee. Twelve Scottish MPs have signed and the amendment has the backing of metropolitan mayors Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham. The rebels don't argue with the government's overall aims – to protect those most in need and help other claimants into work – but they fear the reforms won't have that effect. There's no escaping the reality that the government has to save money. With the rising cost of defence, a cash-hungry NHS, housebuilding and the jaw-dropping deficit caused by Covid and Liz Truss – all set against the backdrop of sluggish growth – any Chancellor would have to get out the paring knife. Chancellor Rachel Reeves wants to cut the benefits bill (Image: PA) And the government is right to be worried about the benefits bill. The number of people claiming health-related benefits with no requirement to work has gone up by 800,000 since 2020. Spending on health-related benefits has gone up £20bn since the pandemic and is set to go up nearly £20bn more by 2029. Some claimants could work, with the right support. There is indeed a moral case for reform – governments shouldn't just leave people languishing in a benefits trap. But voters – and Labour MPs – expect a Labour government to bear down on poverty, not make it worse, and the proposed changes don't pass that test. On the one hand, the government is set to spend much more on schemes to help people into work, end benefit reassessments for the most sick or disabled people and increase the basic level of UC. But it also proposes tightening the criteria for the least disabled people claiming personal independence payments (which does not directly affect Scotland) and cut the health-related element of Universal Credit (UC) for new claimants (which does). The amount of UC new claimants receive because they have limited capacity to work would be reduced by almost half. These claimants, the government hopes, will then find work. The trouble is, changing benefits is a clumsy, inexact approach to changing behaviour. For the policy to be a win-win – making savings for the government while also helping people access a better future – all those who are losing money must be able to find jobs. What if it doesn't work like that? That's what sends a trickle of cold fear down MPs' backs. What if employers don't play ball or work programmes aren't effective? Relatively small reductions in benefits can have a serious impact on struggling families, as The Herald's recent series on child poverty revealed. Read more The Department for Work and Pensions has concluded that the plans would push 250,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children, though it insists many would then find work and no longer be in poverty. According to the Resolution Foundation think tank the reforms could help more than 100,000 people into work but hundreds of thousands would fall into poverty regardless. No wonder so many Labour MPs hate the policy. If defending the winter fuel payment cut was hard for them, then this policy would be a bed of nails. But the fiscal constraints the government faces are real. The government cannot let the benefits bill rise to unsustainable levels or leave people who could work languishing at home. So Labour ministers and MPs are now talking to one another to find a solution. That implies delaying implementation or watering down the reforms. The rebel MPs want further consultation. They want back to work mentoring support to be put in place before cuts are made. They also want to better information on how the changes would affect employment levels among sick and disabled people before backing the plans. It's not what ministers wanted, but if they listen, the outcome will be better, fairer, more defensible reforms that are much more consistent with Labour values. The Prime Minister may well come to thank his bloody-minded backbenchers in the end. Rebecca McQuillan is a journalist specialising in politics and Scottish affairs. She can be found on Bluesky at @ and on X at @BecMcQ
The National
2 days ago
- Business
- The National
Keir Starmer facing calls for 'regime change' at Number 10
New Labour MPs have told colleagues that voting down the legislation would help get rid of 'overexcitable boys' from Starmer's team of advisers, according to The Times. Less than a year after securing a landslide election victory, chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is facing mounting criticism, with Labour MPs reportedly accusing him of alienating backbenchers. Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner have both insisted a vote will go ahead next week on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which seeks to cut back disability benefit payments by around £5 billion per year. READ MORE: 100 charities challenge Scottish Labour MPs to oppose UK welfare cuts But given more than 120 Labour MPs have signed an amendment opposing the plans, there are now reports Number 10 is in talks with many of them about possible changes to the bill in the hope of winning them over. Twelve Scottish Labour MPs are among those to have signed the amendment, while all SNP MPs have given their backing too. A No. 10 source said: 'Delivering fundamental change is not easy, and we all want to get it right, so of course we're talking to colleagues about the bill and the changes it will bring. We want to start delivering this together on Tuesday.' At the centre of the row over the bill is the proposal to change the eligibility criteria for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), with 800,000 disabled people set to be denied payments even if they struggle to wash or dress below the waist. The bill would also limit the sickness-related element of Universal Credit. Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition by aiming to soften the impact of the changes. READ MORE: Anas Sarwar backs UK disability benefit cuts as Labour MPs revolt Rayner has said talks between backbenchers and the Government were 'ongoing'. One backbencher preparing to vote against the bill told the PA news agency: 'A lot of people have been saying they're upset about this for months. 'To leave it until a few days before the vote, it's not a very good way of running the country.' They said that minor concessions would not be enough, warning: 'I don't think you can tinker with this. They need to go back to the drawing board.' The reasoned amendment argues that disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed. North Ayrshire and Arran MP Irene Campbell is the most recent Scottish Labour MP to sign, but party leader Anas Sarwar is continuing to back the cuts. Speaking to the Holyrood Sources podcast in Edinburgh on Wednesday, he said: 'Look, my position has been quite consistent on the welfare reforms, which is I support the principle of reform.' Asked again to state his position on the welfare cuts as proposed, Sarwar suggested that the UK Government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill may change before the crunch vote next Tuesday. 'Conversations are underway,' he said. 'As you would expect, people are legitimately raising their concerns, having those conversations … I think it's safe to say that there'll be ongoing conversations with the legislation and legitimate concerns should be addressed, but we should absolutely support the principle of reform.' Analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank indicated overall, 800,000 fewer working-age people are expected to receive a PIP daily living award in 2029/30 due to the reforms. The tighter criteria are set to lead to 430,000 new applicants – who would have received an award without reforms – receiving no award, and 370,000 existing claimants losing out following reassessment. Most of the 800,000 losers will receive £3,850 per year less in PIP. The changes are aimed at increasing incentives to work for people who are able to, but IFS senior research economist Eduin Latimer said: 'The changes may lead to an overall increase in employment, though any boost to employment income is unlikely to come close to offsetting the direct income losses experienced by affected claimants.'
