DWP does not rule out means-testing PIP and other disability benefits in Autumn Statement this month

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and his team faced a wide range of questions in the House of Commons on Monday, from both sides of the chamber.

Mel Stride responded to various queries on the State Pension annual uprating, cost of living support payments, Pension Credit take-up and benefits.The new boss at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) gave little away on matters that have not already been made public and expressed a few times how a decision on the State Pension and benefits uprating will not be announced before the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, delivers his Autumn Statement to Parliament on November 17.However, one question which may unsettle millions of people across the country claiming disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance for Children, Attendance Allowance and even Carer’s Allowance - which isn’t a direct disability benefit in itself but rather the person being cared for - centred around making these means-tested.Shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, Jonathan Ashworth, asked Mr Stride: “Can he give a categorical assurance that, in the Autumn Statement, he will rule out means-testing Personal Independence Payments, Carer’s Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance for Children?”The Labour MP added: “The Prime Minister tells us that we do not need a general election because the 2019 manifesto gives him and the Conservative party a mandate.“Given that that manifesto committed to the Triple Lock, why can he not give pensioners the reassurance that they deserve?”Mr Stride did not rule out making disability benefits means-tested, instead he opted not to offer a direct response.He replied: “The right hon.