Rachel Reeves confronted by PIP claimant who fears being made homeless – ‘terrifying’

In a series of interviews today Chancellor Rachel Reeves attempted to defend the controversial measures to cut sickness and disability benefits at her Spring Statement

Rachel Reeves has been confronted by a PIP claimant who fears being made homeless as a result of cuts to sickness and disability benefits.

In a series of interviews today, Ms Reeves attempted to defend the controversial measures after criticism from unions, charities and Labour MPs. But appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Ms Reeves was played a clip of a 40-year-old man with a brain injury who said the changes were “quite terrifying”.

Presenter Nick Robinson said the man will be £900 worse off as a result of the government’s decision to restrict eligibility to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) benefits.

In the clip, the claimant said: “That will be me homeless. There’s no softening that blow. If that transpires I can’t accrue a debt, I can’t pay. That’s quite terrifying… [it’s] really shook me actually.”

Ms Reeves replied: “Well when he is reassessed for Personal Independence Payments – which happens every few years – there won’t be any changes until then – we want him to be seen by a trained assessor in person. At the moment only one in 10 people are seen in person for Personal Independence Payments. It was seven in 10 before the pandemic.”

The Chancellor added: “Through seeing a trained assessor in person they will be able to assess his needs. People with the most severe disabilities – I expect including many people with brain injuries – will absolutely continue to get the support.”

Blaming increased global uncertainty, the Chancellor squeezed £4.8billion out the benefits bills in her long-awaited Spring Statement on Wednesday. The cuts were condemned after the DWP’s official assessment showing the controversial welfare cuts could plunge 250,000 people – including 50,000 kids – into poverty.

On BBC Breakfast the Chancellor was asked: “Why not a wealth tax, or increase wealth tax. Why are you hitting the poor and disadvantaged?” But Ms Reeves appeared to reject the official analysis of her welfare reforms, and said she is “absolutely certain” people will not be pushed into poverty.

She also told Sky News: “I am absolutely certain that our reforms, instead of pushing people into poverty, are going to get people into work. And we know that if you move from welfare into work, you are much less likely to be in poverty. That is our ambition, making people better off, not making people worse off, and also the welfare state will always be there for people who genuinely need it.”

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