28-06-2025
'I don't know what I'm going to do if they take my car away, it's my lifeline'
"For a long time now, people with any sort of vulnerability have been either underfunded, ignored or stigmatised as being 'scroungers'." These are the words of Ralph James, 71, who was discussing the government's proposed reforms to the welfare system.
Mr James is referring to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill (UCPIPB), which would result in cuts to sickness and disability benefits, causing huge concern for those currently receiving those benefits.
According to the latest figures from the DWP, the number of people in receipt of PIP has soared since 2019, with one in 10 working-age people in England and Wales now receiving the benefit.
READ MORE: Contactless card warning issued over scam that's difficult to spot
READ MORE: Liverpool area with country's highest number of people claiming PIP
Three areas of Merseyside have some of the highest percentages of the working-age population who receive personal independence payments (PIP). Most notable is Walton, which has the highest proportion (23%) of any parliamentary constituency in the country – closely followed by Bootle (20%) and Knowsley (21%).
Ahead of a scheduled second reading of the UCPIPB in Parliament next week, the Liverpool ECHO visited Bootle to speak to local residents about the potential impact of the legislation.
Mr James lives on Gardner Avenue in Bootle and he is a recipient of the higher rate PIP benefit, he said: "In spite of my disabilities and going through the pain barrier, I try to do my best in terms of getting out and about.
"I rely on my car to get about, and I have to be on the high rate of the mobility component of PIP to qualify for the use of that car. It's my lifeline, and if that's taken from me, I don't know what I'm going to do or how I'll carry on living independently.
"Those claiming PIP are vulnerable people who are victims of circumstance, relating to ill health and disabilities. A lot of that circumstance is brought about by the sort of governments we had, but for a long time now, people with any sort of vulnerability have been either underfunded, ignored or stigmatised as being 'scroungers'.
"I've suffered from lifelong depression, and I live alone. My house, as you can see, is in a poor state of repair, but I still don't know whether I will be reassessed and I don't think anyone else does - that's the real fear."
Concerns about reassessment pop up numerous times. Steph, 33, from Bootle, does not claim PIP, but both her mum and dad are currently recipients of the benefit. She is worried about the potential changes to eligibility criteria.
Steph's parents both suffer from fibromyalgia, and she is apprehensive about the possibility of them being reassessed: "My mum already experienced a problem where she's even had to go to court to get her entitlement. She won her case, but it left its mark.
"She got into a very depressed state, and we were all very concerned for her. It was a very tough time."
Steph said her dad started working when he was 12 years old and worked hard all his life. An injury and subsequent health diagnosis forced him into early retirement, but she said it was difficult getting him the right support.
She added: "The assessments are so gruelling [for PIP]. I've been to one with my dad which literally reduced him to tears as he admitted he couldn't even wash himself because of the pain he was in. He is such a proud man, but he just broke down crying.
"People need to understand the fact that people on PIP are just scraping by, so for the government to cut some of that benefit for the poorest and most vulnerable, it just shows they don't understand – it's them living in their ivory towers.
"If you're going to make cuts, then where's the support after you've cut that payment? What are people going to do? Because the prices of stuff are going up, but the money is going down. How are people supposed to live?"
Under the proposals in the UCPIPB, eligibility for the personal independence payment (PIP), the main disability payment in England, would be limited, and the sickness-related element of Universal Credit (UC) would be restricted.
Ministers have previously said the reforms could save up to £5bn a year, while the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) projects – by the end of this Parliament – approximately 90% of people currently claiming PIP will continue to receive it following the eligibility changes.
Kenny Ferguson, 49, lives on Hawthorne Road, Bootle, and suffers from depression. Mr Ferguson said he has been unable to work since December last year and was advised by his GP to apply for PIP.
He said: "I was told my application had been refused for not reaching the 12 points needed.
"I intend to appeal against this decision, based on my prescribed and approved medication given to me by an expert.
"I do hope my local MP will show support for people like myself who are not well and tell this Government how wrong it is to be picking on vulnerable people."
Last week, Liz Kendall, the work and pensions secretary, published the government's details of the welfare reform bill, claiming it represented 'a new social contract' that it will bring claimants 'peace of mind'. Since then, there has been a significant fall-out within the ranks of the parliamentary Labour party.
On Tuesday, June 24, the Liverpool ECHO reported on a growing rebellion against the government's plans to cut sickness and disability benefits. At the time of writing, 108 MPs' signatures appear on a reasoned amendment declining to give the welfare reform bill a second reading when it returns to the Commons on July 1 - including six Merseyside Labour MPs.
A DWP spokesperson told the ECHO: 'The vast majority of people who are currently getting PIP will continue to receive it.
"We're creating a sustainable welfare system that genuinely supports sick or disabled people while always protecting those who need it most.
'At the heart of this is our review of the PIP assessment to ensure it is fit for the future. We will work with disabled people and a range of experts on this as we deliver our Plan for Change.'
