DWP confirms proposed PIP changes to be announced before key event next month

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Speculation has been growing over the extent of proposals to reform health and disability benefits set to be published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in a new Green Paper this Spring.

However, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms has confirmed that it will be published, along with a public consultation on the proposals, before Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivers the Spring Statement.

The UK Government's fiscal event is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, March 26 which means people of working age on disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit can expect to see the full list of proposed changes before that date.Sir Stephen made the comments in a written response to Liberal Democrat MP Martin Wrigley, who asked DWP if it will make it the policy that “all changes to financial support for people who are unwell and disabled people be preceded by a public consultation”.The DWP Minister responded: “We are working to develop proposals for health and disability reform in the months ahead and will set them out in a Green Paper ahead of the Spring Statement.

This will launch a public consultation on the proposals.“This Government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do, so we will consult on these proposals, where appropriate, with disabled people and representative organisations.”Last week, Sir Stephen said that the Health Transformation Programme will modernise health and disability benefit services for all claimants, highlighting how it will “transform the entire PIP service, from finding out about benefits through to decisions, eligibility, and