New DWP update on plans to replace monthly PIP cash payments with vouchers

dailyrecord.co.uk:

During the first Work and Pensions Committee meeting under the new Labour Government, Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling asked the Secretary of State if she would rule out replacing cash Personal Independence Payments (PIP) with vouchers, as proposed by the Conservatives in a consultation paper earlier this year.

Liz Kendall‘s response gave the strongest indication yet that taking the choice away from people on disability benefits on how they spend their money was not in their plans for welfare reform.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) boss explained that the previous government “didn’t have a plan, they had a consultation” which received over 1,600 responses.

Ms Kendall said she was "very struck, particularly by the comments people made around shifting support to vouchers, where many organisations said their real concern was that it took away people’s autonomy - particularly when services are so stretched and tight”.