Page last updated:  21 July, 2025

Summer 2026: Universal Credit Bill to become law

The Universal Credit Bill is now certain to become law by the end of the summer, after being subject to some very significant amendments which removed all matters relating to personal independence payment (PIP).  This means that the proposed 4-point rule, which would have restricted the PIP daily living component to claimants who scored a minimum of 4 points for one activity, has been abandoned.

However, this is just the start of years of proposed welfare reforms by the Labour government.

We’ve set out some of the major planned changes below.  Over the summer we will be creating a more detailed summary.

Autumn 2025:  Timms PIP assessment review begins work

At this point there is no certainty over whether Timms review of the PIP assessment relates to current claimants or only to new claimants, once the new assessment comes into force.

According to the terms of reference, the review will include will include consideration of:

  • The role of the PIP assessment.
  • The assessment criteria – including activities, descriptors and associated points. The review will consider both the Daily Living and Mobility elements of the PIP assessment.
  • Whether any other evidence should be considered alongside the functional assessment to fairly reflect the impact of living with a long-term health condition or disability, including related to an individual’s personal circumstances and environment.
  • How the PIP assessment could provide fair access to the right support at the right level across the benefits system.
  • What role the assessment could and should play in unlocking wider support

Timms says that he will “engage widely over the summer to design the process for the work of the review, including to ensure that expertise from a range of different perspectives is drawn upon.”

The actual work of the review will begin in the Autumn of 2025. At this stage we have no idea whether the review will share information about its work as it goes along or whether it will be kept confidential until its findings are handed over to the secretary of state in Autumn 2026.

Date TBC:  Pathways To Work  White Paper to be published. 

We don’t have a date for the white paper  yet.  It could be as early as Autumn 2025.  The white paper follows the Green Paper Pathways To Work consultation and should include proposals on:

  • Removing barriers to trying work
  • Supporting people who lose entitlement to PIP
  • Proposed Unemployment Insurance contributory benefit
  • Delaying access to the UC health element until age 22
  • Raising the age at which people can claim PIP to 18

Timms has said in his terms of reference for the review of the PIP assessment that the abolition of the WCA will also be in the white paper.

April 2026:  Universal Credit Act comes into force

The Universal Credit Act will introduce cuts to the UC health element for new claims, increases to the UC standard rate and the introduction of the severe conditions criteria as a means of deciding who gets the higher rate of the UC health element.

The UC standard allowance for new and existing claims will be increased. This will mean the single person 25+ rate of UC standard allowance increasing by £7 per week, from £91pw in 2024/2025 to £98pw in 2026/2027.

From April 2026, the LCWRA element (which the Green Paper calls the health element) for existing claimants will be frozen at £97pw until 2029/30, but claimants will benefit from the increased standard allowance.  However, the freeze to the universal health element will not to apply to:

  • existing claimants,
  • people who meet the severe conditions criteria
  • terminally ill patients.

For new claims from April 2026, the rate of the LCWRA element – now called the health element - will be reduced by £47pw, from £97pw in 2024/2025 to £50pw in 2026/2027. 

People on the health element of UC will be expected, as a minimum, to participate in periodic conversations about work and support (with exceptions where this would not be appropriate). If someone does not attend or engage in a planned conversation, the DWP will seek to understand the reasons before benefits are affected.  In other words, sanctions can be applied to people in this group.  However, the green paper says that "as now, we do not envisage the requirement on this group extending to undertaking specific work related activity or to look for work or take jobs."

Autumn 2026: Timms review of the PIP assessment given to the secretary of state

The government has said they want to introduce changes as quickly as possible after the Timms review is completed.  How soon they happen will depend on whether they require primary or secondary legislation or no legislation at all.  But some changes could come in as early as Spring 2027.

2026/27:  Right To Try Guarantee

The Green Paper says that the government will establish in law the principle that work will not lead to a reassessment. For people receiving UC, PIP (in England and Wales), or NS ESA (whilst and if it is in place), we will introduce legislation that guarantees that trying work will not be considered a relevant change of circumstance that will trigger a PIP award review or WCA reassessment. 

2027/28:  Delaying access to the UC health element until age 22

This is one of the issues that was consulted on in the Pathways To Work Green Paper.  We should have more details, including whether Labour intend to go ahead with the proposal, when the White Paper is published.

2028/29:  Abolition of the WCA

The work capability assessment (WCA) is the current test which gives access to the limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) element of universal credit.

The LCWRA element of UC will be replaced for new claimants from April 2026 by the UC health element.

Then, from 2028/29, the WCA will be axed and eligibility for the UC health element will depend upon being in receipt of the daily living component of PIP.

According to the Green Paper, only 63% of people currently receiving the health element of UC or ESA are also in receipt of PIP or DLA.

There is currently no certainty about whether current LCWRA claimants who do not receive PIP daily living will be affected by the change.

2028/29: PIP/UC single assessment

At the same time as the WCA is abolished, the new PIP assessment that is created by the Timms review will be introduced, if it has not been introduced earlier. This single assessment will give access to both PIP and the health element of UC.

2028/29: New Unemployment Insurance contributory benefit

The Green Paper gave sketchy details of a proposal to replace New Style Employment and Support Allowance (NS ESA) and New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance (NS JSA) with one new Unemployment Insurance benefit. 

It will be paid at the ESA rate (currently £138pw) and will be time-limited. 

People claiming Unemployment Insurance will be expected to actively seek work with ”easments” for those with work-limiting health conditions. 

It is not clear how it will be decided if a claimant has a work-limiting health condition, as the WCA is being abolished.

After the, as yet unquantified, time-limit on Unemployment Insurance has expired, claimants will have to attempt to claim UC.

We should know more when the White Paper is published.

There is no certainty about how this proposal might affect current claimants.

 Latest news on PIP/UC changes

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 8 days ago
    The green paper states the wca and lcwra assessments resume from April 2026.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 14 days ago
    DWP screwing over people managing disabilities independently. Saying I can only score enough points in the section I applied for if I had people helping with it
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 18 days ago
    Hi I've just had a letter saying my Pip review date extended for another year it was due this month. Is this good news or bad? I.was thinking good as they haven't just made a quick decision and stopped my benefits or sent me for a face to face. But nervous about what's next as my mental health maybe has improved a bit but physical and pain is worse. Any ideas ? 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 days ago
      @maria The delay in normal so relax 😀 I would use the time to make sure I kept a diary to evidence how your needs are changing, especially when it comes to pain. Make sure your GP is in the loop. Good luck
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 21 days ago
    I feel that one of the huge increases in claimants is for mental health. Many have to wait two years plus for  nhs help/intervention , often they are suffering more by then. Perhaps there is an intergrated problem between ill health claiming and lack of nhs time efficient help. Government needs to recognise and address these things, not penalise people for.
    GP’s are too quick to apply mental health to people too, when it’s incorrect. Mental health has become many dr’s easy ‘move on’ rather than further correct investigations which in turn can correctly diagnose and treat. 
    What on earth will people survive on when they take their essential benefits away, but can’t work? U.K. heading to US systems. They have millions of homeless and starving people with no help.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 24 days ago
    What will happen under the latest consessions when an existing claimant comes up for renewal under the new rules? Then treated as a new claimant ? or previous rules still apply?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 23 days ago
      @Roo I expect after November we 2026 all claims will have the new rules Inc reviews. I think govt have admitted it 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 27 days ago
    I am on enhanced rate for mobility and care, I have heart disease , Parkinson’s and other serious health conditions, my award was given as on going , I get 4 points in 2 individual sections, from what Inhave read that will mean my care component will not be taken away, also my conditions are deteriorating and can’t improve , so I hope that means no more assessments as they are so stressful, but I really think that no one should be losing their pip, unless they have vastly improved since they started their claim , I think the issues began when Covid hit, many people were put onto Pip who wouldn’t have got pip if face to face asssessments hadn’t been stopped during Covid, also a lot of people were put onto pip for conditions that wouldn’t normally qualify 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    I'd be as well dead, sick of the constant worry they pile onto us! one less claiming benefits in their eyes.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    I work full time, I use a wheelchair and I'm fuming. 
     I can't wash my lower body - but that won't count anymore. 
    I eat microwave meals as cooking is out of my wheelhouse. But using a microwave means I lose that section. 
    How can they say if I can't wash my upper body gives me 4 points, but if I can't wash my legs and feet gives me no points. eat
    But washing my hair isn't included in the 4 points - 
    How do they think someone who can't wash their upper body could wash their hair? 
    Apparently, getting dried doesn't count either. 
    So,  not only can I not wash my lower body, I can't dry it either - but that doesn't count either. 
    I'm sure my employer is going to love the funky smell. 
    My daily living allowance is used to pay for weekly physiotherapy, and fortnightly hydrotherapy. It pays for my microwave meals, or takeaway, or soup and toast. 
    My mobility component is used to pay for my automatic car, my wheelchair, and to replace equipment that wears out. 

    Without physiotherapy and hydrotherapy it will take less than 12 months for me to lose the ability to sit up unaided, to stand for a few seconds, to shower, or get dressed. 
    I'll then qualify for PIP again, but I'll be out of a very good job and need the very benefits that they are trying to get people off. 





    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 15 days ago
      @Clare You serm to have misread parts, as it clearly asked if you had difficulty washing below your waist.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    I hope changers dont happen 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    From what I have heard on news reports in interviews with government ministers the changes are ludicrious, denying those who cannot wash below the waste and even those with double in continance and those with brain injury, stroke survivors and those in late stage organ failure all will fail PIP assessment, this also removes carers for the person and other support.  From what I have learned of how universal Credit works, plus the changes forced onto old ESA claims this basically pulls support in its entirety.  If you are under a Labour MP ask them positionto explain their position on this and if they will object to creating a crisis of the level coming with poverty like nothing seen in anyones lifetimes.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    Hi all this new pip scoring system has helped no one, I have many complexed conditions which render me physically and mentally unable to work all with specialist and doctor documentation but I will lose pip when new 4 point system comes into affect.
    I have ME
    arachnoid cyst on my brain,
    Fibro,
    2 day memory recall,
    I can't socialise with people as I have an explosive anger issue due to my adhd aswell as other symptoms linked to adhd, 
    Epilepsy with frequent blackouts,
    Restless legs,
    Disassociation disorder with my legs.

    So when they take that away my life will be so hard as not just for me my wife too.

    I am so angry not just for me but us all who will affected by this, but what can we do government aren't and won't listen to us and do what they want.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 5 days ago
      @Andy Vinccini Only if you are reassessed with the same exact scoring. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 days ago
      @Andy Vinccini Your description means I find it hard to believe you won't qualify 🤔. I would use this site to help you update and rebuild your evidence base, using their criteria.  Be fully informed and ready to play the game against them. Good luck
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 months ago
      @Andy Vinccini Email your MP as soon as possible explain that regardless of Liz Kendall's proposed changes and the 13 week Transitional Protection if a person loses their PIP it doesn't mean at the 13 weeks and one day point we all suddenly are miraculously cured. Fluctuating conditions like ME and Fibro need to be looked at separately as we never know from one day to the next what pain we are waking up to. Plus the challenges we face just having a shower/getting dressed - that's before we even think of going out the door to work. No employer is going to put up with inconsistancy in time keeping/attending work but thats no fault of ours we can't suddenly stop being in pain, having brain fog etc., I urge everyone to contact their MP as soon as possible.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 months ago
    Everyone who is disabled neefs to keep there pip 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    I receive PIP at the enhanced rate for care and mobility, as well as contribution based ESA, and am in the LCWRAG. I was medically retired 10 years ago after my employer assessed me as unable to carry out any job, and was retired on full pension due to that assessment. As my disabilities are both life limiting, my awards are indefinite, with a light touch PIP reassessment in 4 years, if I'm still here.

    I'm currently writing to my MP, after meeting him last Saturday to talk about the Green Paper. B&W seem to have access to info he doesn't, and he's a DWP Minister!!! We had a very good discussion, and I'm sending him the links to the articles I quoted. At least he's listening.

    I'm appalled and ashamed of this Labour Government; what they are doing is worse that George Osborne and David Cameron did!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    This is so stupid. I am not eligible for PIP but I get LCWRA because my health condition affects my ability to work, not my ability to live. If the work capability assessment was changed to a daily-living assessment then I would not be able to have money to live on and I would be expected to be looking for work, which I am not able to do!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 15 days ago
      @Dan Just do what you can. If symptoms persist but limit your work capability, your allocated work adviser has to take this on board. It may mean moving partly onto UC.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 2 months ago
    I have brain damage so I don’t follow things well. I’m on “on going” award. Does this mean I’ll lose my very thing?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 21 days ago
      @James From what others over time have said, PIP accepting difficulties in social settings and problems being out in unknown places etc
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 months ago
      @Dan Ongoing i believe means it will not be reviewed Dan.

      The way the changes to PIP are proposed, if and when someone is reassessed, entitlement is different. But nothing would change if there wasn't a reassessment.

      I hope that helps some
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 months ago
      @Dan I think you should apply for PIP and will get an award of 4 points because you need help in dealing with social situations and perhaps issues like simple or complex communications as well as not being aware of dangers such as cooking, etc. 
      The policy is wrong as it is not going to save but will instead pay someone like yourself more for the PIP you will sign on to and also for the UCWCA that you will become eligible for. Speak to a good advocacy worker when applying for PIP which you could do now. Hope my advise helps.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 months ago
    And this isnt even addressing those of us who are self employed,  and disabled, as if we lose the daily living PIP will lose the exemption to the Minimum Income floor as well as the health element of UC, meaning we will get nothing if we dont make enough money per month from self employment, plus the other passporting things like bedroom tax exemption, council tax discount, free prescriptions and dental treatment, and probably more.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 12 days ago
      @Katecb If you get UC dental treatment is free. I'm on it and don't pay. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 27 days ago
      @Katecb Yes it does, if your on universal credit , your entitled to free dental treatment and free if your on ESA but you must be in the income related claim group and not the contribution based 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 months ago
      @Katecb It does if you get the UCLCWRA
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 2 months ago
      @indigo Receiving Uc or pip doesn't entitle you to free dental treatment😒
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 months ago
    It is heartening to see that individuals with long-term conditions will no longer be required to undergo re-assessments under these proposed changes. This is a significant step forward in acknowledging the challenges faced by those living with enduring health issues.

    I work closely with individuals diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia. These individuals often present unique challenges during assessments due to their cognitive impairments. They may confabulate, have memory difficulties, and are not always reliable historians when it comes to accurately reporting the level of support they require. For instance, I have encountered cases where individuals confidently state that they wash and dress independently, despite documentation—and my direct experience—indicating that they have required support for over a year.

    With this in mind, I would like to raise the following points for consideration:
    - Consideration of Young Onset Dementia: Have the needs of individuals with conditions such as Young Onset Dementia been specifically taken into account in the development of these changes?
    - Assessment Process for Cognitive Impairments: How might assessors be guided to adapt their approach when working with individuals who, due to their condition, may overstate their independence despite clear evidence of their need for support?
    - Training for Assessors: What training is being provided to assessors to ensure they can effectively engage with and understand the needs of individuals with cognitive difficulties, such as those living with dementia?

    These questions are crucial to ensuring that the assessment process remains fair and reflective of the lived experiences of individuals with complex and cognitive health needs. By addressing these considerations, we can promote a more inclusive and supportive system that truly meets the needs of all individuals.
    Thank you for the opportunity to provide feedback. I look forward to your response.


  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 months ago

    "Reassessments for UC and ESA will be resumed until the WCA is scrapped, with exceptions for those who will never work and those under special rules for end-of-life care. Reassessments have largely been switched off since 2021."

    do we know When they will be reumed? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 months ago
    Hi,
    I've just had a pip reassessment, it was awful my wife had to leave just as it began so I lost my support. I wasn't given a choice to set another time the so called assessment which should last 1 hour or maybe just over mine was over 2  1/2 hours. I'm in such a mess in my head as I get the top rate living section and lower for mobility I got a form asking if anything changed, nothing has sent the form back and got a letter stating I needed another assessment to clear up things As I put no changes I didn't understand dwp thought. So after cancelling my phone call at last minute then told my next date, where my wife had to leave I'm thinking the worst and if I don't get my PIP award I could very well lose my home. 
    P. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 months ago
      @Paul I'm the same my reassement came back saying as I can't walk 100 m but can walk 50m they slashed my mobility I can't even walk the length of my self and I use a mobility scooter 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 months ago
      @Paul If your award changes challenge it, they have to prove your health has improved from last assessment. I pray you dont lose your home. So sorry this has happened. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 3 months ago
    I don’t understand why they don’t simply check claimants' medical records. Anyone making a claim should have documentation that clearly outlines their medical conditions. Additionally, the points system may not accurately reflect how a person's daily living is affected by their health issues.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 months ago
      @Su Medical records often doesn't indicate the level of help we need at home. They often do check medical records though. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 months ago
      @Brenda gath This is so true and that's why the government is rubbish and should be held responsible for their own wrong doing 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 months ago
      @Su They don’t check medical records as they don’t believe doctors similarly as they don’t take any notice of sick notes either
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 months ago
      @Su It may be that they don't want patients to perceive nurses/doctors as being "in league" with the DWP.

      Also, I've had recent exposure to the fragmented state of NHS records for my dad recently; it seems that separate bits of the NHS aren't aware what they are doing to individual patients, let alone the DWP.

      New Labour did try to address this problem with IT innovation, but gave up after spending billions of pounds after running into implementation problems.
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