The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was published yesterday and is expected to be voted on for the first time in the Commons  at the beginning of July.  Below are the main provisions of the bill.

Personal Independence Payment

4-point rule

The Bill introduces the 4-point rule from a date yet to be announced, but intended to be November 2026.

From that date, new claimants will need to score:

  • at least 8 points, including at least 4 points for a single daily living activity, to get an award of the standard rate of the daily living component;
  • at least 12 points, including at least 4 points for a single daily living activity, to get an award of the enhanced rate of the daily living component.

Existing claimants will keep their current award until it is reviewed from November 2026, at which point they will be subject to the 4-point rule. 

So, if you have a review before November 2026, you will be subject to the existing rules, not the 4-point rule. 

There has been no indication from the DWP that they will bring forward anyone’s review dates.  So, if your next review is not due for say, another four years, then that is when you will be subject to the 4-point rule.

Pension-age PIP

There is a clause in the bill which allows the DWP to make “different provision for persons of different ages” which may be used to exempt claimants who have reached pension age by November 2026.  But there has been no official announcement about this and, at the moment, there are no different regulations for people of pension age.

Universal credit

Changes are being made to the rates of universal credit (UC) and, in addition, a severe conditions criteria category is being introduced.  (Similar rules are being put in place for ESA claimants who have not been migrated to UC by April 2026)

UC standard rates

The standard rates of UC will increase each year by more than the rate of inflation.  Using the 2026/27 rate as the baseline, the rate will increase by the rate of inflation plus 2.3% above inflation in 2026/27 up to 4.8% above inflation in 2029/30.  

UC LCWRA rates

The LCWRA element rate will be frozen from 2026/27 to 2029/30.

The LCWRA element rates for the 2026/27 tax year will be:

  • pre-2026 claimant  £423.27
  • severe conditions criteria claimant  £423.27
  • claimant who is terminally ill  £423.27
  • any other claimant with limited capability for work and work-related activity £217.26

This means that the LCWRA rate for new claimants from April 2026 will be almost halved.

The DWP has begun WCA reviews again. So existing LCWRA claimants may have their award reviewed before April 2026.  But if you do not have a review before that date, or you maintain your LCWRA status when you are reviewed, then you will receive the pre-2026 claimant rate from April 2026.

Severe conditions criteria

From April 2026, a new category of LCWRA is being introduced.  In order to be in the severe conditions criteria (SCC) group, a clamant has firstly to meet one of the LCWRA criteria.  You can find a list of the criteria here.

In addition, all of the following criteria need to be met:

The level of function constantly applies to the claimant.  So, conditions that vary in severity may not meet this requirement.

The claimant will have the condition for the rest of their life.   So, conditions which might be cured by transplant/ surgery/treatments or conditions which might resolve may not meet this requirement.

It must have been diagnosed by an appropriately qualified health care professional in the course of the provision of NHS services.  So, it would appear that a diagnosis via a private doctor or consultant would not be acceptable.

If a claimant meets all these criteria they will be classed as having a severe, lifelong health condition and will not be subject to routine reassessment.

What isn’t in the bill

The bill only covers the PIP 4-point rule and changes to the rates of UC, plus the severe conditions criteria, which were added at the last minute as a concession to Labour rebels. 

It doesn’t, for example, deal with the abolition of the work capability assessment, the proposed new Unemployment Insurance or the plan to change the PIP assessment criteria.  These and other Green Paper proposals will be the subject of legislation at a later date.

Downloads

You can download the bill from the Get file link on this page.

Or you can download the file directly from this link

You can download the explanatory notes from this page

Comments

Write comments...
or post as a guest
People in conversation:
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 days ago
    There will be a reckoning come the next election. I for one will not vote Labour again.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 days ago
      @JSF Labour are not about improving the lives of people, it is about individuals who crave power and money, and will do anything with anyone in order to achieve that goal. Gone are the type of leaders we once had who were there to serve the people! They are here for us to serve them!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 20 days ago
    Reading some of the comments on this thread…
    If WCAs are to be done for us that have been left alone for several years, I would read up on the ‘severe conditions criteria’ and try and ensure you are marked as such at your next WCA assessment. This MAY prove very useful in the future. It MAY be a way of keeping the LCWRA UC payment in the future. Labour may well be covering their own backs for the future joining of UC & PIP. It’s worth a shot.. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Just off the phone to PIP and they can’t guarantee that i would not have my recently reviewed award for the next 4 years removed after the 4 point rule comes into place. Surely this cannot be right … ?!! Is this even legal. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 19 days ago
      @H They would have to re- access you first before ended the award. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @H So they are taking approx 1 year to do reviews at present…. If anyone who doesn’t have 4 points in one category as of November 26, will the do assessment straight away or when current award is due to end? I thought it was safe until current award end date if after November 26. How will they get through all the claims? I currently don’t have 4 points but should in several descriptors but was assessed last year with continued enhanced rate so didn’t argue. Perhaps I should have but didn’t want to risking losing my award. This whole situation is scaring me and causing huge anxiety. Taking a toll on the few people around me too. I wish the government could see what they are doing to us all. I won’t be able to work so if I lose PIP and in turn my LCWRA, I’ll no doubt be so heavily sanctioned that I won’t qualify for any UC and be homeless with a disabled child:  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Also meant to say it wouldn't save enough money for them,it would be an add on not a replacement for the proposed cuts.i think a lot of people would feel how I feel,they wanted my husband and of course everyone else to work,save for a pension save your wages etc etc,then when you've done " the right thing" for 35 to 40years,suddenly the goalposts have moved and that pension you paid into and took b4 any of this came out or those savings you saved suddenly go against you,it's oh sorry your disabled now later in life erm look after yourself and by the way if youdpend any of it we'll class it as deprivation of income,mad isn't the word,and I'm sure many would find themselves in our position, so my advice now to any young person who is working, spend your money,or at least don't leave it in a bank account,it's not I  your best interest  but as for workplace pensions, well they'll have everyone with that won't they?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Anon They have done similar before

      Abolished non means tested DLA including for those with lifetime awards, replaced by non means tested PIP but with no equivalent to DLA low rate care component, and with different eligibility criteria to reduce eligibility.

      Abolished non means tested disability income replacement benefits for those severely disabled from a young age never able to work. So no income replacement benefit for new claimants except means tested.

      Abolished the non means tested Independent Living Fund.

      Made contributions based disability income replacement benefits time limited for those assessed as effectively incapable of any and all work but capable of appropriate work related activities.

      And now plan to make contributions based disability income replacement benefits time limited regardless of severity of disability except those benefits specifically for military injuries and industrial injuries.

      You would never guess USA multinational disability insurance companies often advise the UK government and DWP on welfare reform, and fund research used as evidence to justify welfare reform.

      You pay taxes and national insurance, bah we the government will either not help you or treat you appallingly, you need private insurance available for our friends at... 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Means testing pip does absolutely nothing to help people who have a working partner had saved b4 getting ill ir have an occupational pension, this is wrong just like it was wrong to limit Iresa to 1 year, it leaves people vulnerable and dependent on others ,that encourages couples to not work,thought they wanted the opposite?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @Anon This is exactly how I feel too. The history behind it is that back in 2021 , Theresa Coffey started plans to put UC and PIP together starting in 2027.
      As yet we haven’t heard if Labour are adopting these changes or not, other than the green paper stating it will remain an important no -means tested benefit 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    My pip award is due to be reviewed by December 26, if I'm not successful, what would happen to my UC health for LCWRA 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @J2k88 There is nothing here stating that these are to be linked. 

      Presumably that will be in future Bills. 

      So you have a small reprieve (for now). 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @john Thank you, I'm guessing if I'm re assessed for UC LCWRA before 28/29 and found fit for work I'll loose the health payment, and I'm guessing there will be many in the same situation, and I'm sure the government will be sware of this and start re assessing if pip is not awarded
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @J2k88 Nothing should happen to your UC health for LCWRA. 

      The change to eligibility for UC health LCWRA is planned for 2028.
      If the plan is approved by Parliament. Then in 2028 the Work Capability Assessment WCA will be abolished and receiving PIP will become the eligibility criteria for UC health. Depending on how the government phases in this change you will at some point then need to pass a PIP assessment to retain your UC health LCWRA.

      Also note that after the planned PIP 4pt rule change from November 2026, the government is looking at making further changes to the PIP assessment system. Including looking at descriptors, points, and if the amounts of financial support are appropriate. So there could be anything from minor tweaks to a complete overhaul of PIP sometime in the future.   
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Labour voter all my life, so happy when the got elected as I thought 14 years of hell was over. Feel like I’ve been shat on, in the time of most need. Absolutely disgraceful. 


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 20 days ago
      @David Me too. Exactly how I felt. Survived all the Tory changes and the irony may well lose out from labour.
      I cancelled my labour membership after all these cuts announced. Though in reality some of the other options may well turn out even worse. I think farage would cut all disability benefits to nothing.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Not even the whip thinks it's a good policy! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpd1qgpw08do
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Sorry that link below should have cut straight to the story about the labour whip quitting.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Hopefully the beginning of an avalanche. Stay strong guys, much love and solidarity xx

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jun/19/labour-mp-resigns-as-government-whip-in-protest-at-benefit-cuts
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    We have our first resignation.  Government whip Vicky Foxtrot resigns over welfare cuts.   Congrats to Vicky for making a stand.  The article also tells us that the bill will be debated on July 1st.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @SLB
      Yes she's foxtrot Oscar'd. 🤣🤣🤣
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    Vicky Foxcroft,a Labour whip has just tendered her resignation saying she cannot support these cuts to disability.This is very unusual and let's hope more follow.It is a truly shocking bill and once debated I feel the numbers against will be rising.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/ministers-are-secretly-considering-means-testing-pip-dwp-admits-despite-pledge-in-green-paper/

    B*****ds

    It’s official - labour minister like Kendall are making the likes of Robert Jenrick look like the pillar of honesty
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @SLB That doesn't allow for people who worked and saved then became disabled to qualify though,nor help anyone who withdrew a pension lump sum after working,it's a massive disincentive to get a job and the ones gaming the system will have a field day with that idea
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @SLB I was thinking the same thing, I was surprised that wasn’t suggested first. They don’t means test child benefit either, so I thought they might have gone for that too.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @D To be honest, although nobody wants this means-tested, they should have thought about means-testing before making the eligibility decision.  Depending on what level they went for, it would have been a much fairer way of making cuts, and those at the bottom would have been better protected.   However, I doubt they will dare make extra cuts to disability benefits.  They know they'll be lucky to see this one through.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Just on sky news a government whip has just resigned over welfare cuts looks very bad for the government to see this. This green paper definitely needs pausing to get us disabled and charties and government to work together to make the proposals fair and not pressure the genuine disabled get hurt. Thank you for reading my post 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    I have added a thank you comment to Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft on FB for standing up for us and doing the right thing despite personal repercussions. If anyone else could do the same, I think she deserves a tidal wave of thanks. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Here we go - 1st MP resignation.


    MP resigns as government whip over benefit cuts
    Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned from her post as a government whip over Sir Keir Starmer's plan to cut benefits.

    She wrote in a letter to the prime minister that she could not vote "for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances".
    The former shadow minister for disabled people becomes the first MP to quit the government over the controversial welfare reform plans.

    The MP for Lewisham North wrote that the benefits system is in "desperate need of reform", adding: "I absolutely understand the need to address the ever-increasing welfare bill in these difficult economic times, but I have always believed this could and should be done by supporting more disabled people into work.

    "I do not believe that cuts to personal independence payment (PIP) and the health element of Universal Credit should be part of the solution."

    Foxcroft said she has "wrestled" with the decision over whether to resign, but said: "Sadly it is now seems that we are not going to get the changes I desperately wanted to see.

    "I therefore tender my resignation as I know I will not be able to do the job that is required of me and whip – or indeed vote – for reforms which include cuts to disabled people's finances."
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Another interesting article that has been  update since yesterday:

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Is there anything about what will happen with contributon Esa? 

    I really hope all this nonsense is knocked out of the park at the first vote...... I really don't get how removing a vital lifeline and thus people's dignity will somehow remove people's disabilities and/ or barriers to work whilst also creating 1000s of jobs for us all to go to......  🤦‍♀️

    Thanks. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Arthritic Annie There is mention of a ‘universal insurance’ or some-such that will be time-limited to replace CB/NS ESA. Thisbis in the Green Paper, b
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 22 days ago
    Apologies for my duplicate question from yesterday, but I was hoping the proposals might shed some light on the question of people who qualify only for the mobility element after November 26. My husband is in the UC LCW group and works 10 hours per week. He’s 57 and just about manages 10 hours. No way can he manage 35! He currently qualifies for standard rate pip on both cars and mobility elements, but would only qualify for the mobility element under the new system. He has autism and some physical limitations 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @Gingin Thanks for your reply. I don’t understand how they are going to get people with disabilities who no longer qualify for pip to try and find work for 35 hours per week? This is a disastrous idea isn’t it? I think I’ll be able to get m hubby the 4 points required on the preparing food descriptor, as he should have got that to begin with, instead of just 2 points, but I never knew this would happen with the cuts, so I didn’t challenge it at the time as we were grateful to have even got a pip award. I’m sure we are not alone with that. He currently has an ongoing award 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 days ago
      @Lucy72 Hi Lucy. Like my husband who’s on the same rates, if your husband doesn’t get 4 points in one category for daily living and at least 8 points total, he will only qualify for PIP mobility. In my case my husband will also lose LCWRA and I’ll lose Carers Allowance. Pretty evil in my book, seeing as my husband will still be unable to work and I’ll still need to care for him on top of my part time job. And I’m hoping they then don’t swipe the mobility element next. 
We use cookies

We use cookies on our website. Some of them are essential for the operation of the site, while others help us to improve this site and the user experience (tracking cookies). You can decide for yourself whether you want to allow cookies or not. Please note that if you reject them, you may not be able to use all the functionalities of the site.