UK ministers announced plans on Monday to reform the benefits received by millions of people who have long-term health problems and disabilities. The move is part of an effort to reduce the spiraling welfare bill of the government.
Mel Stride, the work and pensions minister, said that it was time to have “an adult conversation” about how to make the system of disability benefits more sustainable. This is in response to a rise in mental health claims, which would otherwise push the total cost to £28bn by 2029, or double the amount before Covid.
He told the House of Commons that the nature and understanding of disability in Britain has “changed profoundly”. In 2013, the Conservative-led Government introduced the “personal independence payment” system to assist people who face higher living costs due to their condition.
In a consultation that was published on Monday , there were proposals to base PIP eligibility on a medical diagnosis rather than on the current “functional assessment” of assessing someone’s ability to manage their daily life. Some people may not need to undergo an assessment, such as those with terminal or severe conditions.
The government also proposed getting rid of fixed weekly payments, whose rate has been set at £108.55 (for those who struggle with daily living) and £75.75 (for those with mobility restrictions).
Stride stated that the government was interested in exploring “alternative support forms”, such as vouchers, reimbursements based on receipts or better access mental healthcare packages or local authority care packages.
Official figures show that around 2.6m adults in working age claim PIP, or the Disability Living Allowance which it replaced. The rise in mental health issues has fueled a surge in PIP claims, which are not means-tested and do not depend on employment status.
Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunderak said that people were “over-medicating” daily stresses. He described the mission as one of “morality” in order to get more people back into the workforce, reduce the reliance on welfare and lower the cost for taxpayers.
He said to ITV News that PIP assessments are “easily abused, subject to unverifiable allegations” and that he wants “something more rigorous, objective, and possibly with more medical evidence”.
Sarah Hughes, the chief executive of charity Mind, stated that removing financial support for people with mental problems would “not fix anything” and “make matters worse”.
After “years” of underinvestment in mental healthcare services . . We will not let people with mental illness be blamed for the failures of our system”, she continued.
Stride said that on Monday, reforms could provide more support for those in greatest need. However, some claimants may have better outcomes with treatment, healthcare or support rather than a cash payment.
He said that the current system is “very blunt” because it fixes support at a fixed amount per month, regardless of people’s condition, when they may only need small adjustments such as installing a handrail for their bathroom.
The plans to reduce PIP are part a larger package of reforms – most of which will be implemented after the next elections – that aim to help those with long term health conditions to remain in their jobs or return to work.
Tom Pollard, the head of social policy for the New Economics Foundation, said that the government did not present any evidence to show that people with mild anxiety or depression were receiving PIP. He also claimed the government was “willfully muddying” the waters by mentioning work when discussing PIP. PIP is paid regardless of whether you are employed.
Sunak announced plans last week to move responsibility for authorising a short-term sick leave from GPs. The aim is to encourage people to work around their health conditions as much as they can.
The government has already made changes to the means-tested incapacity benefit, which will reduce support for some people who have mental health problems or mobility issues.
It also aims to improve “talking therapy”, for those with less serious mental health issues, and pilot a new program to integrate job-hunting and health support.