Latest news with #StephenTimms
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mirror
DWP update on PIP appeals as 8,900 claimants await decision
PIP provides support for people who live with a long-term health condition or disability The DWP has shared an update on how the appeal process for PIP decisions works as some 8,900 people await a decision on their appeal. The details were shared after a written question in Parliament about how many people were going through the process and how long people were waiting for their appeal to be sorted. PIP (Personal Independence Payment) provides financial support for people who live with a long-term disability or health condition, to help pay for their extra costs. The benefit includes a daily living part and a mobility part with lower and higher rates for each element depending on your level of need. Applicants often undergo an assessment to determine how they are affected by their health condition and how much they should get. Current claimants may also be reassessed when their award comes to an end, to decide how much they should get going forward. In cases were you disagree with the decision, you can appeal the decision. Usually you have to first go through a process called mandatory reconsideration first, where you ask the DWP to look at your case again. 8,900 PIP claimants awaiting appeal decision After this, you can lodge an appeal. DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms provided a response to the question back in May, but he has now issued an update response. The new information explains: "As of April 2025, a total of 8,900 appeals are currently in progress. This figure has been rounded to the nearest 100. "DWP is not solely responsible for appeals wait time. Appeals are lodged by claimants with His Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS), which the claimant may take up to 13 months to do. DWP then have 28 days to respond to the appeal when notified by HMCTS." You usually have to lodge your appeal within a month of getting your mandatory reconsideration decision letter, but in some cases there is an extended period, up to 13 months. Mr Timms further explained: "DWP will either lapse the appeal and overturn the initial decision if new evidence allows or uphold the original decision and provide a written response as to why the decision cannot be revised. After this the time taken to list the appeal is dependent on HMCTS, who run tribunal hearings." He said that for appeals that were cleared in the 2023/2024 financial year, the median wait time from an appeal being lodged to the DWP's response was five weeks. In cases where there was a tribunal hearing, the median time between the appeal being filed and the tribunal hearing was 34 weeks.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Minister quizzed on welfare reforms at Gloucestershire college
Students and staff at a Gloucestershire college have questioned the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability about the government's proposed welfare bill has come under scrutiny because it will make it harder for people to access Personal Independence Payments (Pip).Sir Stephen Timms, who visited the college on Thursday, said the government is listening to concerns but "it's very important" the reforms go than 120 Labour MPs have backed an amendment that would stop the bill progressing through Parliament. Students and Staff at the National Star College in Cheltenham had the opportunity to quiz the minister on the Welfare Reforms and speak about their aspirations. Student Callum, 20, said: "It was really interesting meeting the minister and speaking about what we do here.""It makes me think they are starting to listen to what we are saying."Mike Cooke is a personal learning coordinator at the college and also has a and the other staff members quizzed Mr Timms about the upcoming reforms and how losing Pip would impact their ability to work."I think he dealt with it honestly and openly He explained some of the background behind it," Mr Cooke said."He couldn't give us the answers we wanted but hopefully the visit today he can take something away and it will make him think about making some changes."Chief Executive Lynette Barrett praised staff and students for speaking up."They spoke really well in terms of making sure he understood the personal impact and he listened. He seemed to understand and really take cognisance of what they were saying." Ms Barrett said. Government 'listening to concerns' Once he'd spoken to those at the college Stephen Timms told the BBC "conversations are going on today" to address some of the concerns of the MPs rebelling against the proposals."We're listening to the concerns that people are raising but it's very important the reform goes ahead so we can open up opportunities for people that have been locked out of opportunities for far too long," he Timms added the bill will come to parliament on 1 July and he is confident it will be a "good outcome".
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Starmer to press on with welfare reforms as 120 Labour MPs prepare to defy him
The Prime Minister confirmed a Commons vote on the plans to squeeze sickness and incapacity benefits will go ahead on Tuesday despite 120 Labour MPs publicly backing a move to block the legislation. He acknowledged it is 'tough going' but 'the important thing is to focus on the change that we want to bring about' rather than the 'noises off'. Sir Keir defended his leadership against accusations he had misjudged the mood in his party, insisting he is 'comfortable with reading the room'. At a press conference at the Nato summit in The Hague, he said: 'Many people predicted before the election that we couldn't read the room, we hadn't got the politics right and we wouldn't win an election after 2019 because we lost so badly. 'That was the constant charge of me at press conferences like this, and we got a landslide victory. So I'm comfortable with reading the room and delivering the change the country needs.' He added: 'Is it tough going? Are there plenty of people and noises off? Yes, of course, there always are, there always have been, there always will be. 'But the important thing is to focus on the change that we want to bring about.' He said he is 'very confident' he will lead the Labour Party into the next election, saying 'it is really important that I lead from the front and take the long-term decisions about the future of our country'. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill faces its first Commons test on Tuesday. The plans restrict eligibility for personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, with the aim of getting more people back into work and saving up to £5 billion a year. Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition. But the fact so many Labour MPs are prepared to put their names to a 'reasoned amendment', a move which would stop the Bill in its tracks, shows how entrenched the opposition is. Sir Keir indicated he is not willing to compromise. 'We have got to make the reforms to our system. It isn't working as it is,' he said. 'It doesn't work as it stands for people who desperately need help to get into work or for people who need protection. It is broken. 'We were elected in to change that which is broken, and that's what we will do, and that's why we will press ahead with reforms.' The rebels argue disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes. Social security minister Sir Stephen Timms said he is 'looking forward to the debate' next week. He told the Commons Work and Pensions Committee the changes need to be made urgently to cut the spiralling welfare bill. Committee chairwoman Debbie Abrahams, who is one of the Labour MPs to have signed the amendment to block the legislation, asked why the provisions within the Bill had not been consulted on. Sir Stephen said: 'Essentially because of the urgency of the changes needing to be made.' He said the cost of Pip had gone up from £12 billion before the pandemic to £22 billion last year, 'and that is not a sustainable trajectory'. Setting out the impact of the reforms, he told the committee that 370,000 people getting Pip under the current system would not be receiving it by the end of the decade. 'That will be a number of people whose income is lower,' he said. 'Of course, I'd love it for many of those to be able to move into work, and we're going to be providing the employment support to make that ambition realistic for people in a way that it hasn't been in the past.' Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has added his voice to the senior figures calling on the Government to reconsider. He told BBC Newsnight: 'When the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) delivers its collective wisdom in such numbers, it is invariably right. And it is right on this.' His London counterpart, Sir Sadiq Khan, has said ministers 'must urgently think again' about the plans, while Labour's First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has also called for a rethink. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has already taken steps to soften the impact of the welfare Bill, has been locked in talks with backbenchers as she seeks to win over those opposed to the measures. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said the Tories will lend the Government votes to pass the legislation but only if Labour rules out tax rises in the autumn budget as well as reducing unemployment and lowering the welfare budget.
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
Starmer to press on with welfare reforms as 120 Labour MPs prepare to defy him
The Prime Minister confirmed a Commons vote on the plans to squeeze sickness and incapacity benefits will go ahead on Tuesday despite 120 Labour MPs publicly backing a move to block the legislation. He acknowledged it is 'tough going' but 'the important thing is to focus on the change that we want to bring about' rather than the 'noises off'. Sir Keir defended his leadership against accusations he had misjudged the mood in his party, insisting he is 'comfortable with reading the room'. At a press conference at the Nato summit in The Hague, he said: 'Many people predicted before the election that we couldn't read the room, we hadn't got the politics right and we wouldn't win an election after 2019 because we lost so badly. 'That was the constant charge of me at press conferences like this, and we got a landslide victory. So I'm comfortable with reading the room and delivering the change the country needs.' He added: 'Is it tough going? Are there plenty of people and noises off? Yes, of course, there always are, there always have been, there always will be. 'But the important thing is to focus on the change that we want to bring about.' He said he is 'very confident' he will lead the Labour Party into the next election, saying 'it is really important that I lead from the front and take the long-term decisions about the future of our country'. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill faces its first Commons test on Tuesday. The plans restrict eligibility for personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, with the aim of getting more people back into work and saving up to £5 billion a year. Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition. But the fact so many Labour MPs are prepared to put their names to a 'reasoned amendment', a move which would stop the Bill in its tracks, shows how entrenched the opposition is. Sir Keir indicated he is not willing to compromise. 'We have got to make the reforms to our system. It isn't working as it is,' he said. 'It doesn't work as it stands for people who desperately need help to get into work or for people who need protection. It is broken. 'We were elected in to change that which is broken, and that's what we will do, and that's why we will press ahead with reforms.' The rebels argue disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes. Social security minister Sir Stephen Timms said he is 'looking forward to the debate' next week. He told the Commons Work and Pensions Committee the changes need to be made urgently to cut the spiralling welfare bill. Committee chairwoman Debbie Abrahams, who is one of the Labour MPs to have signed the amendment to block the legislation, asked why the provisions within the Bill had not been consulted on. Sir Stephen said: 'Essentially because of the urgency of the changes needing to be made.' He said the cost of Pip had gone up from £12 billion before the pandemic to £22 billion last year, 'and that is not a sustainable trajectory'. Setting out the impact of the reforms, he told the committee that 370,000 people getting Pip under the current system would not be receiving it by the end of the decade. 'That will be a number of people whose income is lower,' he said. 'Of course, I'd love it for many of those to be able to move into work, and we're going to be providing the employment support to make that ambition realistic for people in a way that it hasn't been in the past.' Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has added his voice to the senior figures calling on the Government to reconsider. He told BBC Newsnight: 'When the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) delivers its collective wisdom in such numbers, it is invariably right. And it is right on this.' His London counterpart, Sir Sadiq Khan, has said ministers 'must urgently think again' about the plans, while Labour's First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has also called for a rethink. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has already taken steps to soften the impact of the welfare Bill, has been locked in talks with backbenchers as she seeks to win over those opposed to the measures. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said the Tories will lend the Government votes to pass the legislation but only if Labour rules out tax rises in the autumn budget as well as reducing unemployment and lowering the welfare budget.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Starmer to press on with welfare reforms as 120 Labour MPs prepare to defy him
The Prime Minister confirmed a Commons vote on the plans to squeeze sickness and incapacity benefits will go ahead on Tuesday despite 120 Labour MPs publicly backing a move to block the legislation. He acknowledged it is 'tough going' but 'the important thing is to focus on the change that we want to bring about'. Sir Keir defended his leadership against accusations he had misjudged the mood in his party, insisting he is 'comfortable with reading the room'. At a press conference at the Nato summit in The Hague, he said: 'Many people predicted before the election that we couldn't read the room, we hadn't got the politics right and we wouldn't win an election after 2019 because we lost so badly. 'That was the constant charge of me at press conferences like this, and we got a landslide victory. So I'm comfortable with reading the room and delivering the change the country needs.' He said he is 'very confident' he will lead the Labour Party into the next election, saying 'it is really important that I lead from the front and take the long-term decisions about the future of our country'. The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill faces its first Commons test on Tuesday. The plans restrict eligibility for personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit, with the aim of getting more people back into work and saving up to £5 billion a year. Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition. But the fact so many Labour MPs are prepared to put their names to a 'reasoned amendment', a move which would stop the Bill in its tracks, shows how entrenched the opposition is. Sir Keir indicated he is not willing to compromise. 'We have got to make the reforms to our system. It isn't working as it is,' he said. 'It doesn't work as it stands for people who desperately need help to get into work or for people who need protection. It is broken. 'We were elected in to change that which is broken, and that's what we will do, and that's why we will press ahead with reforms.' The rebels argue disabled people have not been properly consulted about the plan and say further analysis is required before making any changes. Social security minister Sir Stephen Timms said he is 'looking forward to the debate' next week. He told the Commons Work and Pensions Committee the changes need to be made urgently to cut the spiralling welfare bill. Committee chairwoman Debbie Abrahams, who is one of the Labour MPs to have signed the amendment to block the legislation, asked why the provisions within the Bill had not been consulted on. Sir Stephen said: 'Essentially because of the urgency of the changes needing to be made.' He said the cost of Pip had gone up from £12 billion before the pandemic to £22 billion last year, 'and that is not a sustainable trajectory'. Setting out the impact of the reforms, he told the committee that 370,000 people getting Pip under the current system would not be receiving it by the end of the decade. 'That will be a number of people whose income is lower,' he said. 'Of course, I'd love it for many of those to be able to move into work, and we're going to be providing the employment support to make that ambition realistic for people in a way that it hasn't been in the past.' Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has added his voice to the senior figures calling on the Government to reconsider. He told BBC Newsnight: 'When the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) delivers its collective wisdom in such numbers, it is invariably right. And it is right on this.' His London counterpart, Sir Sadiq Khan, has said ministers 'must urgently think again' about the plans, while Labour's First Minister of Wales Baroness Eluned Morgan has also called for a rethink. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, who has already taken steps to soften the impact of the welfare Bill, has been locked in talks with backbenchers as she seeks to win over those opposed to the measures. Meanwhile, Kemi Badenoch said the Tories will lend the Government votes to pass the legislation but only if Labour rules out tax rises in the autumn budget as well as reducing unemployment and lowering the welfare budget.
