What benefit changes are being introduced and who will they affect?
The government is expected to overhaul a disability benefit, the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) – but charities warn it would leave people homeless and unable to buy food.
Many Brits with disabilities rely on Pip to pay the extra costs they face as a result of their conditions.
According to charity Scope, disabled households need an additional £1,010 each month to have the same standard of living as their non-disabled counterparts.
That is the gap that Pip aims to reduce.
The benefit is not means-tested, meaning people with similar disabilities will get similar amounts of money no matter what their income is or how much they have in savings.
Changes to Pip could feature in the government’s upcoming plans to reform the benefits system, which is ‘unsustainable, indefensible and unfair’ according to Sir Keir Starmer.
But the heads of 17 charities linked to disabilities have written to the Chancellor warning the move would have a ‘catastrophic impact’.
We don’t know exactly what the changes will be yet, but more details are expected to be announced today as part of the government’s welfare reform plans.
What are Pip benefits?
The Personal Independence Payment began to be rolled out in 2013 amid the phase-out of the Disability Living Allowance for most recipients in England and Wales.
Today, disabled children in England and Wales get Disability Living Allowance and switch to Pip when they turn 16 – although the BBC has found the switch from one to the other is not always smooth, even for those with life-changing conditions like cancer, blindness and epilepsy.
James Taylor, the director of strategy for Scope, told Metro: ‘The significance of Pip is that it recognises life isn’t easy and offers some financial support.’
However, he said the current rate ‘doesn’t go anywhere near far enough’ to cover the extra expense that many disabled people face.
At the moment, the basic rate of living allowance provided weekly via Pip is £72.65 and the enhanced rate is £108.55 – well below the £1,010 a month typically needed according to Scope’s calculations.
The amount a recipient gets is based on the amount of aid and supervision they need for everyday tasks, and extra is available for those with mobility issues.
What changes could be coming to Pip benefits?
ITV News reported that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was aiming to find £5,000,000,000 in savings by making it harder to qualify for Pip.
The broadcaster also said the government wants to freeze Pip next year so it does not increase with inflation.
After a reported pushback from other Labour MPs, the changes are likely to focus on eligibility instead of a freeze, according to BBC News.
The eligibility criteria could be tightened, meaning some people are likely to lose out if their condition is not considered severe enough, the broadcaster said.
Liz Kendall, the Secretary of Work and Pensions, insisted that the changes – brought under Labour’s Get Britain Working plan – are ‘a genuine reform, not just about cuts’
However, none of these measures have been confirmed by the DWP yet, and the department said it does not comment on speculation, but more details will be revealed today.
Why might these changes be made?
Sir Keir Starmer has argued the UK benefits system is in a ‘worst of all worlds situation’, which discourages people from working and lands the taxpayer with a ‘spiralling bill’.
The PM has also repeatedly pointed to the concerning state of the public finances, saying a ‘£22 billion black hole’ was handed over by the previous Conservative government.
Answering a question from Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey at PMQs earlier today, Sir Keir said: ‘We will, of course, support those who need support, but also help those who can work into work.
‘They’ll be the guiding principles. But what we’ve inherited is shocking.’
A DWP spokesperson said: ‘Without reform more people will be locked out of jobs, despite many wanting to work. That is not just bad for the economy, it’s bad for people too.
‘We have a duty to get the welfare bill on a more sustainable path and we will achieve that through meaningful, principled reforms rather than arbitrary cuts to spending.’
What is the reaction to the potential changes?
In a letter to the Chancellor earlier this week, the heads of 17 charities including Scope, Disability Rights UK and the RNIB said cuts would have a ‘catastrophic impact on disabled people up and down the country’.
The Child Poverty Action Group, meanwhile, has warned the move risked ‘undermining the government’s forthcoming child poverty strategy’ and would ‘harm children and disabled people alike’.
James Taylor said: ‘Since the end of last week, we’ve heard from lots of disabled people who talked to us about their situation.
‘And many people have said to us that if the payments were cut, they’d end up homeless.
‘People wouldn’t be able to afford to attend doctor’s appointments. People are really worried about being forced into poverty, unable to pay for their care, unable to buy food or pay essential bills.’
Actor and campaigner Adam Pearson told Metro earlier this week: ‘It’s like they say at the end of the film Wicked, if you want to galvanize a group of people then give them a common enemy.
‘And I think disability, as well as immigration, are what people in the new government are now using to bring people together.’
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