New DWP update on proposals to reform PIP and replace monthly cash payments with vouchers

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that it does “not intend to publish a response to the previous Government’s consultation” entitled 'Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper'.

The reforms set out by the Tories aimed to cut £12 billion from the welfare bill each year until 2030.Proposals in the consultation included swapping cash Personal Independence Payment (PIP) payments of up to £737.20 every four-week payment period for a range of other support, including vouchers, one-off grants, a receipt-based scheme or choosing support aids from a catalogue.

Other proposals included amending eligibility for PIP, reviewing the assessment process and passing PIP costs on to the NHS and local authorities.Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms, gave the written response to Lib Dems Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain, who asked if the DWP planned to respond to the consultation which received over 16,000 responses.Sir Stephen said: “The consultation on Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper ran for 12 weeks and closed on Monday 22 July.

There were over 16,000 responses to the consultation, which demonstrates the depth of feeling about the previous Government’s proposals.“I can confirm that responses to the set of proposals on the reform of Personal Independence Payment were mixed and for some proposals consistently negative.“We do not intend to publish a response to the previous Government’s consultation.”He added: “We will be considering our own plans for social security in due course and will fulfil our continued commitment to work with disabled people so that their views and voices are at the heart of all