In April this year, the government published a Green paper consultation on proposals for PIP reform. The paper was introduced by The Rt Hon Mel Stride MP in April 2024: Former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:
“We want to ensure that we have a welfare system that is fit for the future, a system that supports work for people who can, provides a safety net for people who need it, and that is fair to the taxpayer. This consultation seeks views on whether we should make fundamental changes to how we support disabled people and people with health conditions, and whether our system delivers the right support to people most in need.”
The Consultation launched 29th April – and closed 22nd July 2024.
What is PIP?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) can help with extra living costs if you have both:
- a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
- difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around because of your condition
You can get PIP even if you’re working, have savings or are getting most other benefits.
Further information is available at https://www.gov.uk/pip
You can also read about PIP in Welsh (Cymraeg).
What is considered a disability?
According to the National Census :
People who assessed their day-to-day activities as limited by long-term physical or mental health conditions or illnesses are considered disabled. This definition of a disabled person meets the harmonised standard for measuring disability and is in line with the Equality Act (2010).
You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
The Equality Act 2010 does not apply to Northern Ireland: see here for more information.
You automatically meet the disability definition under the Equality Act 2010 from the day you are diagnosed with cancer: it applies to people with cancer or those who have had cancer in the past: All cancers are included.
Further clarification on the government’s definition of disability can be found here
The current PIP assessment is based on a “functional test”, an attempt to assess the impact an impairment or health condition has on a disabled person’s ability to “function” in daily life, regardless of the type of health condition.
The Green Paper makes a number of proposals including potential changes to assessments, eligibility criteria, and the move towards a medical model of entitlement. It also suggests the replacement of cash payments with vouchers, grants or a receipt-based system – and that recipients rank their extra costs and spending priorities – alongside the potential devolvement of responsibility and administration of support to the NHS and / or Local Authorities.
While we understand funding is finite – and that the current system is flawed – we believe that a more appropriate governmental response is required.
There is a reported, and not unpredictable, increase in the number of people with physical and mental health conditions that impact on daily living, many of whom will have been or are taxpayers. We believe there is a need is to better treat and support the people with those conditions, not to suggest proposals that could potentially lengthen access to, or remove, vital support.
We have responded to the consultation
This paper and consultation potentially reinforces the harmful stereotype that disabled individuals are over-claiming benefits – whereas evidence shows that only 0.02% of PIP claims are fraudulent
According to SCOPE and UK Government Statistics, in 2021, there were 16 million people living with a disability: approximately 25% [~4m] are adults of ‘working age’ (16-65)
And according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (2019), substantially fewer people receive a disability benefit than report a disability.
We believe the real issue is not over-claiming but:
- a lack of preparedness for, and proper evaluation of, need – due to a process unfit for purpose and lack of foresight in incorporating reported health trends and involvement of key stakeholders into plans and processes.
- a lack of awareness of the consequences of worsening physical and mental health conditions when inadequate support is lacking (especially during times of economic crises and a pandemic)
- a lack of understanding the reality of living with a life-altering, life-limiting and/or incurable condition – and its variability.
Studies have shown that people with long-term health conditions and disabilities face an increased risk of experiencing a mental health problem. PIP is ill-equipped to assess for mental health impact.
We believe that adequate and appropriate support for disabled individuals is not just a moral obligation, but also a human right and an economic and societal necessity.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, ratified in the UK in 2009, “requires government to take action to remove barriers and give disabled people real freedom, dignity and equality”. We do not believe that the proposals suggested in the Green paper – and consultation – comply with these principles. You can read the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities guide here.
We have joined the voices of many in urging this government towards a fairer solution: including a formal scoping of current services and capacity and working with all key stakeholders to devise and adopt a more equitable and navigable system.