DWP confirms major PIP changes to 'transform' how benefit is claimed

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has unveiled its intentions to revamp health and disability benefit services, throwing a lifeline with the modernisation of processes surrounding Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, has confirmed ambitions to transform PIP services from top to bottom – aiming to improve everything from awareness to payments as part of the Health Transformation Programme.

The news came out following a query by Gregory Campbell, the Democratic Unionist Party MP, regarding discussions between the DWP and stakeholders about prospective adjustments to PIP, the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), and Disability Living Allowance (DLA). . In a written statement, Sir Stephen highlighted: "We believe there is a strong case to change the system of health and disability benefits across Great Britain so that it better enables people to enter and remain in work, to respond to the complex and fluctuating nature of the health conditions many people live with today.".

He continued to explain the Government's dedication: "This Government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do, and with any reform, including the Health and Disability Green Paper we intend to publish in the Spring, we will consult with disabled people and representative organisations.". Ahead of the Green Paper consultation, a spokesperson highlighted the efforts being made to involve those directly affected: "Ahead of the formal consultation for the Green Paper, we have already started to explore ways of engaging with disabled people and their representatives, including through stakeholder roundtables and public visits, and look forward to progressing these initiatives over the coming months.".

Speaking about improvements to the Personal Independence Payment system, Sir Stephen explained: "About the PIP service specifically: the Health Transformation Programme is modernising health and disability benefit services, to improve people's experience of applying for PIP. The Programme will transform the entire PIP service, from finding out about benefits through to decisions, eligibility, and payments.

"The Programme communicates and engages frequently with disabled people and external stakeholders - including national charities and other organisations that support people with disabilities - about proposed changes. Their opinions and suggestions are taken on board as we test new iterations of the transformed service.". Last week, Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, highlighted the need for a sustainable long-term welfare budget, warning of the financial strains by stating the nation can't keep shouldering the "costs of failure".

The DWP head, gearing up for major overhauls to health and disability benefits this Spring, stressed the importance of moving more people from welfare to work. Ms Kendall blamed the inability to control welfare spending on Conservative governments. In conversation with the PA news agency, she explained: "We're going to get the benefits bill on a more sustainable course - and it has to be, we cannot accept these costs of failure, failure for individuals, failure for businesses and failure for the economy.".

She added: "But the way to do this is to get more people into work through the reforms that we're putting in place in our Jobcentres and through reform of the benefit system. And we'll be bringing forward our green paper on reforming sickness and disability benefits in the spring.". It's forecasted that the previous government's welfare cap of £137.4 billion for 2024/25 will be exceeded by £8.6 billion.

Ms Kendall expressed to PA: "This is our inheritance from the Conservative government. And the Tories failed on welfare because they failed on work.". "We have got almost record numbers of people out of work due to long-term health problems. That's terrible for them. It's terrible for their living standards. It's terrible for employers who want to recruit and it's terrible for the public finances.". "So we need big reforms in the way that we work to get more people into those jobs, which will help bring the benefits bill onto a more sustainable footing.".

On January 29, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in her crucial speech on economic growth, promised a thorough revamp of the nation's welfare system. She underscored her commitment to addressing long-neglected issues, stating: "fundamental reform of our welfare system" and highlighting specific challenges such as "looking at areas that have been ducked for too long like the rising cost of health and disability benefits".