DWP silent on potential replacement of PIP cash | European Markets

The Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) has sidestepped questions concerning the potential introduction of vouchers as a alternative for Private Independence Cost (PIP) money advantages. This concept was initially offered by the Conservatives in a session paper final 12 months.

Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello just lately submitted 4 written questions on PIP reforms, however obtained similar responses from Minister for Social Safety and Disabilities Sir Stephen Timms. Morello’s inquiries have been associated to the upcoming DWP Inexperienced Paper, scheduled for release earlier than the Spring Assertion in March.

Nevertheless, when requested about assessing the “potential impact of replacing Personal Independence Payment cash payments with vouchers on claimants’ autonomy and financial management”, Sir Stephen failed to supply a direct response.

Morello additionally sought clarification from the DWP on a number of different factors:

• The potential influence of the proposed adjustments to PIP on disabled people’ capability to handle their financial independence
• What steps the DWP is taking to make sure that any proposed adjustments to PIP don’t result in financial hardship or decreased high quality of life for recipients
• What Steps the DWP is taking to seek the advice of with incapacity advocacy teams on the proposed adjustments to PIP, together with any adjustments to fee strategies

Sir Stephen, nevertheless, didn’t instantly tackle these inquiries.

As a substitute, he offered a written assertion asserting: “This Government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do.

“We’re dedicated to reforming the system of health and incapacity advantages in order that it promotes and allows employment amongst as many people as potential. The system should additionally work to help disabled people to dwell independently. Additionally it is very important to make sure that the system is financially sustainable within the long time period.”

Sir Stephen concluded by saying: “We’re working to develop proposals for reform within the months forward and can set them out in a Inexperienced Paper forward of the Spring Assertion later this 12 months.”

In June 2024, the then-ruling Conservative authorities unveiled plans for welfare reform in a doc titled ‘Modernising help for impartial residing: the health and incapacity inexperienced paper’. The proposal aimed to shave off £12 billion yearly from the welfare funds till 2030.

The proposed adjustments included changing money PIP funds, which might quantity to up to £737.20 each 4 weeks, with various types of help akin to vouchers, one-off grants, a receipt-based scheme or choice of help aids from a catalogue. Nevertheless, these plans have been discarded after Labour clinched victory within the normal election on July 4.

Regardless of this, the Division for Work and Pensions (DWP) nonetheless intends to overtake the health and incapacity advantages system. It has pledged to collaborate with incapacity teams and organisations and can publish a session on the proposed adjustments.