DWP reform plan to turn PIP into voucher a 'real concern', minister admits

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The much-derided plans to turn the cash Personal Independence Payment (PIP) into a voucher-based system to buy equipment were raked over the coals in parliament this week, with the new head of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Liz Kendall MP, grilled over the public outroar.

At the first Work and Pensions Committee meeting under the new Labour administration, Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling questioned the Secretary of State on whether she would consider scrapping cash payments in favour of vouchers, a concept previously floated by the Tories.

Liz Kendall provided a clear signal that removing the choice from disability benefit recipients regarding their spending was not on the agenda for welfare reform.

The DWP boss pointed out that the former government "didn't have a plan, they had a consultation" which garnered over 1,600 responses.