The future of PIP: still waiting
In our July newsletter, we reported on the previous Government’s Green Paper, setting out proposals on the future of Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
This was widely condemned by Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations, welfare rights groups and anti-poverty campaigners, as it set out options designed to reduce the number of claims, or abolish PIP altogether, replacing it with demeaning measures such as a voucher system or refunds for expenses on production of receipts.
Many commentators took the view that this was a macho “tough on welfare” stance, designed to garner electoral support. If so, it obviously didn’t work, but the proposals are still in the pipeline – and they need to come out of it.
Inclusion Barnet will shortly be writing to the new Disability Minister, Sir Stephen Timms MP, just before we launch the Campaign for Disability Justice (which you’ll be hearing more about soon!) We shall be calling on the new Government to reject its predecessor’s proposals to restrict or abolish PIP.
No doubt there is further work to be done on PIP – it is very far from perfect, with delays, poor quality assessments and decisions too often wrong first time – but further work needs to have the objective of making PIP work better for Disabled people.
Our letter will state that we would like to see the Department for Work and Pensions establish a working party, at least 50% of the membership of which should consist of Disabled people nominated by Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations.
It should take evidence from Disabled people, their organisations, benefit assessors, decision-makers, DWP officials, advice agencies, academics and others, with a view to identifying improvements and constructing a benefit that works well for Disabled people and for those with long-term health conditions.
Will the Government agree to such a positive new direction, or will it be the same old same old?
Watch this space.
_________________________
Geoff Fimister
Head of Policy, Inclusion Barnet
Continue reading our August newsletter
This piece is a part of our Disability Newsletter. To receive future updates on our work, just like this, subscribe to our monthly newsletter using the form below:
Sign up to our newsletter
Sign up to the Inclusion Barnet newsletter for monthly updates direct to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree for your information to be held by Inclusion Barnet. We will never sell or swap your personal information with anyone else. Read more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy (link at the bottom of this page).