PIP/UC changes

Latest news on PIP/UC changes

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PIP/UC News Archive

Using the links above you can find out more about the proposed changes to PIP and what you can do to challenge them.  You can also take the proposed new PIP test online.

We'll also keep you up-to-date with all the news about the changes. 

Latest News On PIP and UC Changes

We aim to share the most important PIP and UC changes news stories below.  But please add any news or research that you find, in the comments section below.

21 July

Starmer pressed on 'fear and anxiety' caused by welfare changes in grilling by MPs

The BBC reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been grilled by MPs at the Liaison Committee on the government's welfare changes and plans to tackle poverty.  Labour MP Debbie Abrahams presses the PM on the "fear and anxiety" caused by the government's welfare bill, before the plans were later watered down - telling him the proposals were "far removed" from Labour values.

17 July

Four Labour welfare rebels suspended

Benefits and Work reports that  the Labour party has suspended four MPs who were involved in the welfare rebellion, on the grounds that they were repeat offenders.  Neil Duncan-Jordan, Chris Hinchliff,  Rachael Maskell and Brian Leishman have all had the whip removed and will now sit as independent MPs until their suspension ends.

14 July

Universal Credit Bill To complete Lords in a single day

Benefits and Work reports that the Universal Credit Bill will complete its passage through the House of Lords in a single day, it has been confirmed.  The Parliament website reports that:  “Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the bill - and all remaining stages - are scheduled for 22 July.

10 July

Universal Credit Bill listed as money bill for House of Lords

Benefits and Work reports that the Universal Credit Bill (formerly the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment bill) has been listed for its second reading in the House of  Lords as a money bill.

10 July

Latest on UC and PIP bill as Labour gets through third reading

Benefits and Work reports that the Labour government has got its severely weakened welfare bill through its third reading without further defeats, after the major concessions made before and during the second reading. The bill passed its third reading by 336 votes to 242. 47 Labour MPs voted against the bill at third reading, 333 Labour MPs voted in favour, along with 3 independents. 

8 July

Labour’s poverty lie: changes will still push 100,000 into poverty

Benefits and Work reports that Labour have issued deeply misleading claims about the effects on poverty of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.  They claim that the amended bill will result in 50,000 fewer people being in poverty by 2029/30, but the reality is that 100,000 more children and working age people will be forced into poverty. 

7 July

Welfare bill will now lift 50,000 out of poverty after U-turns, assessment finds

The Guardian reports that the changes the government made to the welfare bill in the face of a mounting rebellion over its proposals to cut disability benefits will lift 50,000 people out of poverty, an updated impact assessment has found.

4 July

Many PIP and UC amendments tabled by both sides for next week’s final vote

Benefits and Work reports that many amendments have been tabled for the third reading of the Universal Credit and Personal independence Payment Bill.  There are now 18 pages of detailed amendments,  some on behalf of the government and some on behalf of those opposing the bill.

 2 July

What has changed after last night's UC and PIP bill vote?

 Many commentors on the Benefits and Work website have expressed confusion about where a series of government concessions since Friday, culminating in yesterdays final hour climbdown, leave them.  We’re not surprised.  As one Labour MP said in the debate “I popped out for a banana earlier on and, when I came back in, things had changed again. “  We’ve done our best to explain how matters currently stand with Labour’s welfare reform shambles.

1 July

Labour abandons four-point PIP rule in order to win vote

Benefits and Work reports that Labour were forced to abandon the PIP four point rule in the final hour of today’s debate, in order to save the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.  In the end, the bill passed its second reading with a majority of 75, with 335 voting in favour and 260 against.  49 Labour MPs rebelled and voted against the bill.  You can see a full list of the votes here

Many fewer Labour MPs sign new amendment

Benefits and Work reports that thirty nine Labour MPs have signed a new amendment calling for the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill not to have a second reading.  The number represents a big drop from the almost 130 Labour MPs who signed a similar amendment five days ago, before Labour’s concession to the rebels, and well below the 80+ needed to overturn Labour's majority..

30 June

No 10 plan to avert Labour welfare rebellion in chaos amid division over scale of concessions

The Guardian reports that Downing Street’s plans to see off a major Labour welfare rebellion were in chaos on Monday night, amid continued brinkmanship between MPs and the government over the scale of the concessions.

PIP cuts will plunge 150,000 into poverty

Benefits and Work reports that the DWP have published an updated impact assessment showing that 150,000 people will be plunged into poverty by the revised PIP cuts by 2030, down from 250,000 under the original proposals.  The reduction in numbers is the result of the government exempting current claimants from the impact of the PIP 4-point rule, which will come into force in November 2026, if Labour is successful in getting its Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill through parliament over the coming weeks.  It also takes into account the fact that the universal credit health element will not be frozen for current claimants from April 2026.

25 June

Number 10 set to offer concessions to welfare rebels

The Guardian reports that number 10 is preparing to offer concessions to Labour MPs amid a major rebellion over the government’s welfare cuts.  Downing Street is understood to be considering watering down changes to the eligibility for disability benefits which had been significantly tightened by the reforms in the bill. More than 120 MPs are poised to rebel against the government next Tuesday and there remains division at the top of government over how to stem the growing anger.

Starmer's team ask Labour MPs to remove names from rebel amendment that could bring down welfare bill

Cabinet ministers have been asking Labour MPs to take their name off a rebel amendment to the government's controversial welfare bill, Sky News can reveal. In an attempt to quell the mounting rebellion of more than 100 MPs across all wings of the party, cabinet ministers were instructed to ring around the signatories of the amendment in a bid to get them to back the welfare cuts ahead of a planned vote next Tuesday. . . Others were also told their actions could provoke a fresh leadership challenge and that they were aligning themselves with Nigel Farage in a bid to get them to back down.

Keir Starmer dismisses Labour welfare cuts rebellion as ‘noises off’

The Guardian reports that Keir Starmer has shrugged off mounting Labour unrest over his flagship welfare cuts, dismissing the backlash as “noises off” and insisting his party remains “pretty united” behind the need for change.

24 June

Kemi Badenoch offers to rescue Starmer’s welfare reforms as Labour rebellion grows

The Independent reports that Kemi Badenoch has offered to rescue Keir Starmer from his own Labour backbenchers after a massive rebellion threatened to bring down his welfare reforms.  In a late intervention on Tuesday evening, the Tory leader stepped in to say her party would back the swingeing cuts to benefits, as more than 100 Labour MPs were gearing up to reject the plans when they are voted on next week.

Sadiq Khan joins growing Labour rebellion against disability benefit cuts

The Guardian reports that Sadiq Khan has become the most senior Labour figure yet to urge the government to drop its controversial disability benefit changes, supporting a growing Labour rebellion that threatens to derail the plans.  The London mayor warned that the welfare bill, which more than 100 Labour MPs have already threatened to vote against in the Commons next week, would “destroy the financial safety net” for millions of people.

Keir Starmer says ‘clear moral case’ for disability benefit reforms despite rebellion by MPs

The Guardian reports that Keir Starmer will press ahead with his disability benefit reforms despite a growing rebellion from Labour MPs, as he said there was a “clear moral case” for change.  Speaking before next week’s Commons vote on the measures, the prime minister defended plans to tighten the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip), arguing that the current system was unsustainable.

Labour’s benefit cuts will have ‘devastating’ impact on disabled women, say charities

The Guardian reports that Downing Street’s disability cuts will have a “devastating” impact on women’s health and dignity and could breach equality law, the government has been warned.  Charities and disabled people’s organisations including Scope, Spinal Injuries Association, Inclusion London, ME Association and WinVisible told the Guardian that tightening eligibility for personal independence payments (Pip) would mean disabled women being discriminated against, due to their higher personal care needs compared with men.

Welfare reform bill: Rebel Labour MPs on why they back reasoned amendment

Labour List looks at some of the rebels’ explanations about why they have gone public, after weeks in which many MPs’ opposition was mainly conducted in private – and despite a reported recent escalation of disciplinary warnings about the consequences of rebellion. 

A quarter of Scottish Labour MPs join welfare rebellion

The BBC reports that nine out of the party's 37 parliamentarians, including the chair of the Scottish affairs committee, have signed an amendment that would potentially allow them to block controversial changes to the benefits system.

Why defeat on unpopular welfare reforms could prove to be the end of Starmer

The Independent reports that it normally takes much more than just a year in power for a prime minister to face a full rebellion involving more than 100 MPs.  While Sir Keir Starmer has had a very bumpy time at the start of his premiership, despite winning a massive majority, this is the first time he has been staring down the barrel of a defeat in a crucial vote in the Commons.

108 Labour rebels sign amendment to kill PIP cuts bill

Benefits and Work reports that 108 Labour rebels have signed an amendment to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill which, if it secured a majority, would kill the bill.

23 June

Is it 1 in 10, or 1 in 4, who will lose PIP?

Benefits and Work reports that Labour has repeatedly claimed that “only” one in ten claimants will lose their PIP daily living component as a result of the four-point rule.  But the Office for Budget Responsibility’s (OBR) latest estimate is that one in four of all claimants who are assessed will lose their award.  Which one is correct?

22 June

Labour’s cruel severe conditions criteria

Benefits and Work reports that Labour’s cruel “severe conditions criteria” (SCC) plan is not designed to protect seriously ill claimants as the government claims, it is intended to save money at their expense.  Because tens of thousands of claimants too ill to ever work again will be forced to live for years on half the additional payment that current claimants receive.

21 June

Sir Keir Starmer scrambles to contain 'mass rebellion' among Labour MPs over welfare reforms

LBC reports that Sir Keir Starmer has met privately with dozens of MPs in a bid to quash a "mass rebellion" over the Government's welfare reforms.  The prime minister held multiple one-on-one meetings with disgruntled MPs who have concerns over the controversial cost-cutting policy on Friday.

19 June

Ministers are secretly considering means-testing PIP, DWP admits, despite pledge in green paper

The Disability News Service reports that Labour ministers are considering whether to start means-testing personal independence payment, which is likely to cut billions of pounds a year more from benefits spending, new information secured from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed.

Labour MP resigns as government whip in protest at benefit cuts

The Guardian reports that the Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft has resigned as a whip in protest at the government’s welfare plans, saying she will not be able to vote for the cuts to disability payments.

Starmer's threats won't stop a rebellion on benefits cuts, Labour MPs warn

The ipaper reports that Sir Keir Starmer will not stop a rebellion over his welfare reforms by threatening Labour MPs, he has been warned.  Those opposed to the Government’s proposed £5bn cuts to disability and incapacity benefits have insisted that warnings of suspension or exclusion from ministerial roles are unlikely to deter them from voting down the plans.

Labour rebels say ‘you can’t suspend us all’ as they hit back at threats over benefits cuts vote

The Independent reports that rebel Labour MPs have hit back at Sir Keir Starmer after they were threatened with suspension or blacklisting for voting against his benefit cuts.  Party whips have warned backbenchers they will be ruled out of government jobs and could lose the Labour whip if they reject plans to slash the welfare bill by £5bn.

18 June

UK benefits system could collapse if payments are not cut, Liz Kendall says

The Guardian reports that Britain’s benefits system faces collapse without cuts to disability payments, Liz Kendall has said, as the government published plans that put it on a collision course with dozens of angry Labour MPs.

Whips Urge Labour Rebels To Abstain On Welfare Bill

Government whips are urging unhappy Labour MPs to abstain on the Welfare Bill as Downing Street struggles to abate a backbench rebellion, PoliticsHome understands.

Rayner refuses to rule out punishing Labour MPs who rebel over welfare cuts

Angela Rayner has refused to rule out punishing Labour MPs who vote against the government’s plans to cut disability benefits in the coming weeks, as ministers prepare to publish the full details of their proposals for the first time.

Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Updates

Benefits and Work reports on the publication of the bill to impose the first of the Green Paper cuts, to PIP and UC.

17 June

Government officials brace for up to 50 Labour MPs rebelling against welfare bill

The Guardian reports that government officials have admitted they made a mistake by making the financial case for cutting benefits as they steel themselves for as many as 50 Labour MPs rebelling against the welfare bill that is being published on Wednesday.

16 June

Disability benefit cuts will harm hundreds of thousands, MPs warn: 'A disaster on every front'

Disability benefit cuts will have a “catastrophic” impact on disabled people, a group of MPs has warned, with some individuals set to lose almost £900 per month. . . The plans – outlined in the Pathways to Work green paper – have been roundly slated by activists and charities. Today (Monday 16 June), the All-Party Group (APPG) on Poverty and Inequality has joined this chorus of condemnation, warning that the cuts could make a “dire situation” for disabled people “much worse”. . .More than 40 members of the APPG are Labour MPs. There is growing unease among the party regarding the proposals; last month, dozens signed a letter describing the welfare changes as “impossible to support”.

15 June

Government’s welfare plans must be pushed through, Starmer says

The Guardian reports that the government’s welfare plans have to be pushed through, Keir Starmer has said, indicating that there will be no further concessions in the face of a potentially significant Labour rebellion over cuts to disability benefits.

13 June

Ministers step up efforts to quell growing rebellion over UK welfare bill

The Guardian reports that the government is intensifying efforts to quell a growing rebellion over welfare cuts, with whips stepping up contact with MPs and strategists drawing up plans for a cabinet reshuffle in case of resignations.

Will Kendall’s concessions win over Labour rebels?

Liz Kendall has offered three concessions to Labour rebels unhappy about the Green Paper cuts.  But will they be enough to sway a significant number of dismayed

12 June

Reeves rules out disability benefit cuts U-turn but says rules may be tweaked

The Guardian reports that Rachel Reeves has ruled out a U-turn on disability benefit cuts but said she was “taking into account” representations from Labour MPs, and could tweak the qualification rules for the benefits.

10 June

Missions impossible: Can Starmer’s Cabinet get behind his plan?

The Politico website reports that ministers are drawing up plans to introduce a bill to parliament next week containing Labour’s controversial cuts to disability benefits, in time for a showdown vote — the “second reading” — in the week of June 30 or later. One person with knowledge of the plans said the bill was likely to be tightly focused on the cuts, while other welfare reforms will come only later in the year. This will concentrate Labour MPs’ anger, but could also allow the government to classify it as a “money bill” — meaning it would be made law within a month of being sent to the House of Lords even if peers still object. Officials have also held talks about putting the bill through a “committee of the whole house,” preventing lengthy evidence sessions that could question experts and campaigners. 

9 June

Winter fuel payments threshold to rise to £35,000, Rachel Reeves announces

The Guardian reports that all pensioners with an income of £35,000 or less a year will have the winter fuel payment restored in full, Rachel Reeves has announced, after weeks of uncertainty over the decision to make a U-turn on scrapping the benefit.

Starmer’s welfare cuts will see 340,000 more people in poverty than previously predicted, charity warns

The Independent reports that the impacts of the government’s welfare cuts are likely to push tens of thousands more people into poverty than previously predicted, a major foodbank charity has warned.  Trussell said 340,000 more people in disabled households could face hunger and hardship by the end of the decade.

8 June

Disability benefit cuts will affect Wales disproportionately, campaigners say

The Guardian reports that disability benefit cuts planned by the UK government will disproportionately impact the lives of people in Wales, campaigners have said.  Research released by the data analytics company Policy in Practice last week estimated that 190,000 people – 6% of the population – could have their incomes slashed by up to 60% by the end of this parliament if eligibility for personal independence payments (Pip) is tightened as proposed in a March green paper.

7 June

Thousands join anti-austerity march in London to protest against Labour’s cuts

The Guardian reports that thousands of people marched through central London on Saturday calling for an end to public service and welfare cuts, in the first big anti-austerity march under Keir Starmer’s Labour government.  The campaign group People’s Assembly, which organised the demonstration, called on the government to “tax the rich and their hidden wealth to fund public services”.

6 June

Poll: Most Labour members back full reversal of welfare and winter fuel cuts

Labour members want to see the government U-turn on welfare reforms and go further in fully reversing winter fuel cuts, exclusive polling by Survation for LabourList has revealed.

Citizens Advice Data Insights: Spotlight on Disability

Citizens Advice (CA) are advertising a free online event at which a panel of experts will explore CA data on the finances of disabled people and think through the possible impact of cuts and wider reforms, ahead of the main parliamentary stages and the deadline for green paper consultation responses.

5 June

Lead shoes instead of a life ring

Martin Lewis' Money and Mental Health Policy Institute finds that PIP reforms will have a “catastrophic impact” on people’s finances and mental health, and will drive people out of the workplace

4 June

I went to a DWP benefit cut consultation: Here’s what I found

The Independent publishes an account of a Green Paper consultation which reveals "Attendees were told how important their views were – but it speaks volumes that we were handed leaflets with the number of the Samaritans on it."

3 June 

Green Paper progress update

Benefits and Work provides a look at what has happened so far and what still needs to be done.

31 May

DWP chief Liz Kendall to face Labour MPs as government braces for benefits revolt

The Mirror reports that Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is set to address the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) ahead of a major vote this month on cuts to sickness and disability benefits

30 May

Prepare to challenge Labour PIP cuts tweaks

Benefits and Work warns that claimants and campaigners may want to start giving thought to how they will challenge any last minute tweaks Labour seek to introduce to the Green Paper proposals in the hope of winning over back bench MPs.

29 May

Shock of activists as disability minister ignores disabled woman who collapsed on floor after cuts meeting

The Disability News Service reports that the disability minister has been accused of a “shocking lack of empathy” after walking past a disabled woman who collapsed on the floor at the end of a meeting about government plans to cut disability benefits by billions of pounds.

Benefit cap could see countless PIP claimants left homeless after cuts, but DWP has no idea how many

The Disability News Service reports that thousands of disabled people could lose out on thousands of pounds a year in housing benefit – and face eviction – because of the government’s cuts to disability benefits, but ministers have no idea how many will lose out and risk homelessness.

28 May

Citizens Advice condemn Green Paper cuts in hard hitting report

Benefits and Work reports that Citizens Advice (CA) have condemned the government’s Pathways To Work Green Paper in a hard hitting report of their own, entitled ‘Pathways To Poverty’.

27 May

Disabled celebrities urge Keir Starmer to scrap ‘inhumane’ benefit cuts

More than 100 of the UK’s most high-profile disabled people, including Liz Carr, Rosie Jones, Ruth Madeley and Cherylee Houston, have called on the prime minister to abandon “inhumane and catastrophic plans to cut disability benefits”.

Labour is taking the Pip – and disabled people have had enough

Actor Cherylee Houston tells the Guardian why so many deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent public figures have pulled together to launch the campaign #TakingThePIP

Half of ‘red wall’ voters disapprove of Labour’s handling of benefits, says poll

The Guardian reports that nearly half of all “red wall” voters disapprove of the way Keir Starmer’s government has dealt with benefits-related policy, a poll has found, as ministers faced continued pressure over winter fuel and disability payments, and the two-child benefit cap.

25 May

Protesters take to the streets of Swansea and Cardiff over plans to cut disability benefits

ITV video report on protests in Swansea and Cardiff.

23 May

There is an alternative, Labour MPs tell Reeves

The BBC reports on Labour MPs suggesting alternatives to cuts to welfare and notes:

One ambitious backbencher has backed a land tax and argued for £20bn of revenue-raising, including a revaluation of council tax in England, and higher levies on the savings and investments of high earners.

Admittedly, that was in 2018.

And that backbencher's name? Rachel Reeves.

Jittery Labour MPs divided over benefits cuts

The BBC reports that this week, Sir Keir Starmer and his ministers redoubled their efforts to win over Labour MPs minded to join what could be the biggest rebellion yet against his government.

21 May

Work won’t cut it: income from employment and benefits for disabled people

A Citizens Advice briefing presents analysis of how incomes for disabled people would change, if cuts to Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit were introduced today and the people affected were able to move into paid employment.  In many cases, people would see only a small increase in income by working full-time - and in some situations, they could actually end up worse off.  This also relies on the very unrealistic assumption that people currently considered unable to work can suddenly take on a full-time job. For many, part-time work is a more realistic option than full-time employment. But moving into part-time is more likely to result in a loss of income, and the financial impact is typically much greater.

Committee of MPs urge Starmer to pause disability cuts amid poverty fears in letter seen by ITV News

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is being advised to urgently pause the Government's plans to cut disability and health benefits by Parliament's work and pensions committee, ITV News can reveal.  The cross-party group, chaired by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, has expedited the conclusions of a report into the reforms - and has said they should not go ahead without a comprehensive impact assessment.

Unions can defeat Labour's welfare cuts, PCS leader says

The Morning Star reports that the leader of Britain’s biggest Civil Service union announced plans today for a campaign to defeat Labour’s proposed welfare reforms.  Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Fran Heathcote’s intervention came a day after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced a back-bench rebellion over his government’s plans to cut disability benefits...Today, Ms Heathcote told a fringe meeting at PCS’s annual conference in Brighton: “In the next few weeks we will work together with Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), with other trade unions, with MPs and anybody else to defeat the proposals in this green paper."

Health and disability benefit reforms could boost employment by up to 105,000, but gains dwarfed by poverty-inducing income losses

The Government’s plans to reform health and disability related benefits and increase employment support could boost employment by up to 105,000 by the end of the Parliament. But these welcome gains are not enough to prevent the reforms from pushing hundreds of thousands of families into poverty, according to new Resolution Foundation research published today (Tuesday).

The report notes that the full package of reforms, which also include a boost to the standard rate of Universal Credit (UC) and abolition of reforms to Work Capability Assessment, creates lots of small net winners, but nearly as many large net losers.

20 May

Our £5bn disability benefits cut will stop welfare state collapsing, says Kendall

The Guardian reports that the work and pensions secretary, Liz Kendall, will double down on Labour’s £5bn disability benefits cuts on Wednesday, claiming she is reforming the welfare state to save it from collapse.

17 May

No 10 actively investigating winter fuel payment changes as fears grow over voter anger

Downing Street is actively investigating changes to the controversial winter fuel payment cut over growing concerns about the policy’s deep unpopularity among voters.  No 10 has stepped up its work on reviewing the policy by carrying out internal polling and focus groups on how voters would respond to potential modifications to it.

Reeves faces anger from her local party over plans to cut disability benefits

The Guardian reports that Rachel Reeves’ local Labour party will call for the chancellor to abandon her plans to cut disability benefits as rebellion among MPs over the policy grows.  The Leeds West and Pudsey constituency Labour party (CLP), which campaigned to return Reeves to parliament last year as its MP, has agreed to write to her “as soon as possible” to make clear it does not support the cuts.

16 May

Government considers welfare reform concessions as Labour MPs threaten to revolt

Senior Government figures have accepted that there will need to be concessions if they are to win a parliamentary vote on controversial welfare reforms, ITV News understands.  Ministers and officials are weighing up what they can offer amid huge anger across the parliamentary party, with dozens of MPs making clear that they are prepared to vote against the changes.

Benefits cuts threaten school-readiness target

Schools Week reports that ministers have not assessed the impact savage cuts to disability benefits – plunging 250,000 more people into poverty – will have on their school-ready metric, part of Labour’s education opportunity mission.  Sir Keir Starmer has set a target that 75 per cent of children will have a “good” level of development by the time they start school in 2028.  The proportion is currently 68 per cent. But education leaders say reforms to disability benefits could threaten that target.

Rise in disabled people facing homelessness in England

The BBC reports that more than 60,000 disabled households in England faced homelessness last year, an increase of nearly 75% since 2019, official figures show.  Analysis of government data by the homelessness charity Crisis also shows the amount of social housing given to disabled people has gone down.

 15 May

Labour revolt grows ahead of key welfare vote, with 50 MPs set to rebel

ITV reports that 50 Labour MPs are set to rebel against government plans to radically change the welfare system, paving the way for the prime minister's biggest revolt yet. . . While 42 MPs have come out publicly, more than 100 MPs are understood to have signed a private letter urging the government to delay the changes and rethink. ITV News understands there are at least six MPs who have signed both letters.

Kendall refuses to apologise after misleading MPs four times in 23 minutes about PIP cuts

The Disability News Service reports that Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall has refused to apologise after repeatedly misleading MPs by suggesting that her planned cuts of billions of pounds to personal independence payment (PIP) were linked to supporting disabled people into work.

Labour knowingly hugely discriminating against women for PIP cuts

Benefits and Work reports that the Labour Party is knowingly hugely discriminating against women by using its 4 point or higher rule to reduce the number of personal independence payment (PIP) awards. Currently, daily living component award rates for males and females are just 0.7% apart, but from November 2026 under Labour’s plans, 32% of male claimants are likely to get an award, compared to 25% of female claimants, a ten times greater difference

13 May

Disability benefits cuts definitely going ahead, minister insists - and more not ruled out

ITV briefly interview Stephen Timms and reports that benefits for some disabled people are definitely being cut, a minister has told ITV News, despite a growing backbench rebellion of more than 40 Labour MPs.  Timms said  "We're bringing forward the proposals. And I expect them to reach the House of Commons in the next couple of months. And I'm very confident that we will get the support there to make the changes that are needed."

UK jobs market continues to weaken

The BBC reports that the UK's job market has continued to weaken with the number of workers on payrolls falling in the first quarter of the year.  The number of job vacancies also fell again, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

12 May

Work on combined PIP assessment has begun

Benefits and Work reports that in a desperate effort to distract attention from the growing anger over the proposed personal independence (PIP) cuts, Liz Kendall announced that work has begun on designing a new assessment which will combine the doomed work capability assessment (WCA) with the PIP assessment.

DWP buried damning reports showing work coaches unable to help disabled claimants

Benefits and Work reports that the DWP very quietly published a series of damning disability benefits related reports at 4pm on Friday 2 May, on the eve of a bank holiday and on a day when the news was dominated by the results of the local elections held the day before. 

'Up to 100 Labour MPs' warn Keir Starmer of rebellion on benefit cuts

The National reports that as many as 100 Labour MPs have signed a letter warning Keir Starmer that they will not support sweeping cuts to disability benefits, according to reports.

9 May

Inside Labour's benefits rebellion as Keir Starmer faces biggest revolt yet

One MP told The Mirror of those previously wavering on a key benefits vote: 'A lot of people have now decided they are more frightened of the voters than they are of the whips'

8 May

Disability benefit cuts impossible to support, 42 Labour MPs tell Starmer

The Guardian reports that more than 40 Labour MPs have warned the prime minister that planned disability cuts are “impossible to support” and have called for a pause and change in direction.

Police called to half-empty Green Paper consultation

Benefits and Work reports that the DWP’s Green Paper consultation programme hit a new low yesterday when police were called to deal with protestors who wanted to join a half-empty meeting in Manchester.

7 May

Disability benefit cuts to hit 700,000 families already in poverty, DWP forecasts show

The government’s planned disability benefit cuts will hit 700,000 families who are already in poverty, according to internal Department for Work and Pensions forecasts obtained by the Guardian.

What’s behind the rise in disability benefit claims?

Rising rates of disability colliding with greater financial hardship are pushing more people to seek support, argues the New Economics Foundation.

5 May

No 10 rethinking winter fuel payment cut after Labour slump in local elections

The Guardian reports that the government fears further electoral losses from unpopular policy as well as from planned £5bn of benefits cuts

3 May

Academics show Labour is overwhelmingly targeting its own voters with PIP cuts

Benefits and Work reports that a group of academics from Northern universities and health services have calculated how much income each Westminster parliamentary constituency may lose as a result of PIP cuts.  Labour constituencies take 92 of the top 100 biggest losers places, with the North East and North West hardest hit, suggesting that PIP cuts are aimed squarely at Labour’s own voters.

PIP cuts blamed by many in Labour as one of causes of election losses

In a round-up of election news, Benefits and Work reports that many figures in the Labour Party are beginning to list the planned cuts to benefits, and personal independence payment (PIP) in particular, as one of the major causes of Labour’s electoral losses at this week’s elections. 

2 May

Blundering DWP shares email addresses of all Green Paper consultation event participants

Benefits and Work reports that the blundering DWP yesterday shared the email addresses of all the attendees of the first Pathways to Work Green Paper virtual consultation event in a very basic breach of data confidentiality.

1 May

Man, 46, says he is 'absolutely petrified' of DWP benefits cuts as study raises fears

The Mirror reports that the Trussell Trust charity found that failing to tackle hunger and hardship plaguing Britain is costing the UK £75.6billion a year - and it could get worse due to benefits cuts

Go to the PIP and UC News Archive for earlier stories.