DWP replace on PIP adjustments because the Government’s ‘plan for change’ unveiled

Currently, nearly four million working-age adults in England and Wales claim incapacity or disability benefits

Under the Government’s welfare reforms, disabled individuals will have the right to attempt employment without risking their benefits. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is anticipated to announce legislation introducing a “right to try guarantee”, which will prevent automatic reassessment of entitlements for those receiving health-related benefits such as Personal Independence Payments if they take up work.

This initiative responds to surveys indicating that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions are apprehensive about losing their benefits if they try employment and it doesn’t work out. A recent Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) survey revealed that 200,000 people on health-related or disability benefits were ready to work if the right job or support was available.

Currently, nearly four million working-age adults in England and Wales claim incapacity or disability benefits, an increase from 2.8 million before the pandemic. A Government source commented: “The broken welfare system we inherited is trapping thousands of people in a life on benefits with no means of support, or any hope for a future of life in work.”

They added: “It doesn’t account for the reality of people’s health conditions, many of whom fear that they will be punished for taking a chance on work.

“As part of our plan for change, our reforms will deliver fairness and opportunity for disabled people, and those with long-term health conditions, protecting the welfare system so it is sustainable for the future and will always be there for those who need it.”

Labour is poised to reveal a raft of welfare reforms next week in a bid to reduce the benefits expenditure. Officials at Downing Street have cautioned that without intervention, the cost of benefits will continue to escalate, “swallow more taxpayers’ money and leave more people trapped in a life of unemployment and inactivity”.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has previously emphasised the necessity for the Government to “get a grip” on the welfare system. However, ambiguity surrounding Labour’s strategy has prompted concerns among some backbenchers about the repercussions for disabled individuals.

The SNP has criticised the Government’s approach, with Sir Keir Starmer being urged to “apologise” to disabled citizens for permitting harmful rumours to proliferate unchecked.

Kirsty Blackman, the SNP’s spokesperson for work and pensions, has called for any proposed reductions in disability benefits to be scrapped, accusing Labour of intentionally stirring media speculation about its plans.

James Taylor, executive director at the disability charity Scope, commended the initiative to bolster disabled individuals’ confidence in seeking employment as “a good move”, but cautioned against implementing substantial cuts to benefits.

He commented: “We hope that releasing news of this scheme at this time isn’t a smokescreen designed to blur the lines between in and out of work benefits.

“(Personal independence payment) exists because life costs more if you are disabled. It isn’t an out of work benefit.

“Making it harder to get benefits will just push even more disabled people into poverty, not into jobs.”

During a press conference on Saturday, when questioned about Labour’s welfare plans, Sir Keir stated: “I have made the principles clear enough. We need to support those who need support, and to protect them.

“But at the same time we need to make sure that we support and protect those who need to and are able to get into work, which the current arrangements I don’t think adequately do.

“That’s why it’s important we make the case for reforming welfare, which is what we are doing.” A spokesperson for the Conservative Party responded: “Labour is failing to take the action needed to tackle the unsustainable welfare bill.

“Their inaction has already cost the taxpayer £2.5 billion and counting. The Conservatives are united in the belief that those who can work should, which is why we had a bold plan at the election to save £12 billion from the welfare bill.

“Labour have done no original thinking of their own. The dithering, delay and division over the need to bring spending on benefits down is not fair for British taxpayers.”