Latest news with #UCandPIPBill
South Wales Argus
30-06-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Chris Evans MP on the UK Government's welfare reform
This is no surprise. The reforms proposed by the UK Government in the recent Pathways to Work Green Paper and the recently published Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill contain major proposals for change. It is hard to deny the welfare system in our country needs reform, but any reform must be done in the right way. I have very serious concerns about the government's proposals as they currently stand. That is why I signed an amendment to the UC and PIP Bill to stop these changes in their current form. My concern about these plans comes from the serious impact they could have on my constituents in Caerphilly. Our area is estimated to be one of the 10 areas in the UK to be hardest hit if these changes go ahead as they currently stand. Altogether, the proposals are estimated to impact around 13,000 people in Caerphilly, and around 190,000 across Wales. Clearly, many disabled people are at risk of losing vital income which, if lost, will push many into poverty. For those already in poverty, this will only make things worse. The impact of poverty is considerable on adults, but even more serious on their dependent children. It has harmful consequences for people's physical and mental health, educational attainment, and in some cases will force them into situations where they are more likely to be involved in crime. The Government is planning to increase employment support for those who might be able to work. This makes sense in principle, and it is right that anyone who wants to work and can work should be supported to do so. However, the reality is this extra employment support is only estimated to be able to help a small fraction, about 3 per cent, of those who will lose out. I have called on the government to think again on these proposals. At the very least, they must consult with and listen directly to the people who will be affected most. The Government must change its plans to mitigate the harms that so many have pointed out. Above all, they must do everything they can to ensure any changes to our welfare system do not push people into poverty, or increase demands on many of our already struggling public services. Chris Evans is MP for Caerphilly.
Daily Mirror
30-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Millions to get £725 income boost under new DWP welfare bill
Labour's proposed welfare reforms will be voted on tomorrow in Parliament, and include a yearly increase to the main rate of universal credit, the DWP has said Nearly four million households are set to receive an income boost under proposed welfare reforms, the Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed. The main rate of universal credit will increase above inflation every year for the next four years, which is estimated to be worth £725 by 2029/30 for a single household aged 25 or over. This is about £250 more than inflation-only increases, the government has said. Last week, the prime minister U-turned on his benefits changes after more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to vote him down. Sir Keir Starmer offered concessions including limiting cuts to the personal independent payment (PIP) ahead of the bill's second reading and vote on Tuesday. The government laid out details of the changes to the welfare bill on Monday (June 30), saying that it had 'listened to the MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the social security system'. The bill will rebalance universal credit (UC) rates by reducing the health element for new UC claims to the equivalent of £50 per week from next April. This aims to fix a system which 'incentivises people to define themselves as incapable of work by paying health element recipients more than double the standard amount', the DWP said. A 'significant investment' in employment support has also been announced, with funding set to be brought forward to accelerate tailored employment, health and skills support. Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall said: 'We must build a welfare system that provides security for those who cannot work and the right support for those who can. Too often, disabled people feel trapped - worried that if they try to work, they could lose the support they depend on. 'That is why we are taking action to remove those barriers, support disabled people to live with dignity and independence, and open routes into employment for those who want to pursue it.' The DWP also said that 200,000 people in the Severe Conditions Criteria group - which include those with the most severe, lifelong conditions - would not be called for a UC reassessment. While Keir Starmer initially proposed restricting PIP eligibility, he has now said that under the bill, all existing recipients would remain on the current system, and the eligibility restrictions would only apply to new claimants from November 2026. 'For too long, meaningful reform to our welfare system has been ducked and delayed - stunting productivity, slowing down growth and ultimately holding British people and our country back,' the DWP said. 'The government is taking decisive action and the difficult decisions needed to restore trust and faith in the system, providing opportunities for those who can work, and security for those who cannot.' The UC and PIP Bill will have its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday. On Friday (June 27), the prime minister told broadcasters: 'The most important thing is that we can make the reform we need. We talked to colleagues, who've made powerful representations, as a result of which we've got a package which I think will work, we can get it right.' Keir Starmer added: 'For me, getting that package adjusted in that way is the right thing to do, it means it's the right balance, it's common sense that we can now get on with it.'
