Government perception of PIP

I used to have a bit of time for Emily Thornbury, but,

Politics live BBC2 today @39 mins
Emily Thornbury said That people were not using PIP to help them at work, they are using it for rent, then goes on to say PIP is there to help people into work??!!!

It worries me that our politicians don't have a handle on the current benefits structure, so are not in an informed position to make changes to the current structure?

Thought pip was support to help with the increased cost of being disabled

Hello Wilf,

I didn't see this interview, but I, too, am worried that our politicians do not seem to understand the purpose of PIP. The way it is described by most media outlets is also very misleading; they imply it is money for nothing and very easy to claim. For example - "Government offers cash handouts for seven different medical conditions." (I see this regularly on the internet.) I object both to the language used and the incorrect information.

I don't have a clear understanding of much of the way the benefits system works myself, so I'm in awe of the knowledge of the Mods on the forum, but I find the way in which the media portrays benefits claimants very depressing and I worry that many of our legislators have no clearer understanding than I do. I hope they don't get their information from much of what appears on the internet or in the right-wing press.

You have described the purpose of PIP very succinctly, but I fear they might all have a different agenda.

Best wishes,

Wendy Woo