The Government has issued a response amid concerns its reforms to PIP eligibility criteria could lead to “serious harm”.
Labour peer Baroness Margaret Ritchie asked the Government in the House of Lords “what steps they plan to take to ensure that people are safeguarded from serious harm as a result of the new policies currently under consultation in relation to Personal Independence Payments (PIP)”.
Her question came after ministers announced proposed reforms to PIP eligibility criteria in April, in efforts to make the system more personalised.
The Government said increasing numbers of claimants where the main condition is a mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, were “driving up the costs of the disability benefits bill at an unsustainable rate”.
Viscount James Younger said in response that the consultation on the reforms was intended to “open a conversation” on PIP.
He explained: “The consultation is guided by three priorities: providing the right support to the people who need it most; targeting our resources most effectively; and supporting disabled people and people with long-term health conditions to live independently and reach their full potential.
“As we develop any proposals, we will carefully consider the impacts of any potential changes.
“We recognise that as a department we come into contact with some claimants who are potentially very vulnerable.
“We have a range of policies and procedures in place to help those individuals with difficult personal circumstances and/or life events to access benefits and use our services and will continue to provide this support should any changes be taken forward as a result of the consultation.”
PIP provides support to working age Britons who are affected by a long-term condition or illness.
Payments increased 6.7 percent in April along with other benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
These are the standard and enhanced payment rates that came into effect last month:
Daily living
- Standard rate – £72.65 (up from £68.10 a week)
- Enhanced rate – £108.55 (up from £101.75 a week)
Mobility
- Standard rate – £28.70 (up from £26.90 a week)
- Enhanced rate – £75.75 (up from £71 a week).
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