A review into sickness payments by the government could add to the nation’s already whopping predicted £40 billion benefits bill.
A Labour review has recommended making it ‘easier’ to claim benefits (Image: Getty)
A Labour review into disability benefits has recommended they should be as “easy as possible” amid fears Britain’s soaring welfare bill could hit £40 billion by 2030. Social security minister Sir Stephen Timms has led the review into personal independence payments (PIP), a benefit claimed by four million people in the UK.
PIP should help support genuine claims from people with a disability who need the money to help with everyday living and costs. But there are fears the system is being abused with claims from migrants, as well as a surge in those accessing the cash for support with mental health conditions. The number of claims for support with a neurological health condition has risen from 5.9% in 2020 to 8.1% last year.
Sir Stephen, who was appointed to lead the review last year in the wake of a Labour backbench rebellion over welfare cuts, said PIP was “widely valued”. Among the Timms review’s recommendations was a drive to end the “unnecessary stress” of some rules and asking the Department of Work and Pensions to adopt a “more respectful tone” towards claimants.
Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately MP blasted the Labour review as “out of touch” adding: “Labour’s answer to the ballooning welfare bill is to make benefits even easier to claim.”
Reform UK’s Treasury spokesman, Robert Jenrick, said “They do nothing to stop migrants claiming benefits and many of them will actually make it easier for those who don’t need it to claim PIP.”
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Sir Stephen Timms conducted the review under orders from former PM Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Ian Vogler)
The ballooning welfare budget, including PIP costs, has become a major issue in Westminster, with the Conservatives arguing for cuts to benefits to pay for defence. Official figures show more than four million people were claiming PIP in England and Wales in June, double the number in 2019.
Spending on PIP stood at £16.3 billion in 2019/20, when adjusted for inflation to today’s prices, and had risen to £27.3 billion by 2024/25.
It is currently forecast to rise to £41.5 billion by 2030/31. The Timms review is required to operate within that limit, but has not directly addressed the overall cost of the benefit.
The level of individual payments depends on how a person’s condition affects their ability to perform everyday tasks or get around.
The Department of Work and Pensions process the claims (Image: Getty)
An award can range from £30.30 per week to £194.60 per week for the most affected.
Figures published by the British social attitudes survey on Tuesday found strong opposition to cutting benefits for disabled people.
Some 49% of adults told the major survey that the Government should spend more on disabled people, with just 7% saying the amount should be reduced.
Ross Barrett, policy manager at the MS Society, said: “The Timms review is our chance to finally fix Pip and create a system based on fairness, dignity and respect.
“It’s vital the review continues to work with disabled people to shape the finished recommendations and ensures the new system provides people with the right level of support for their needs.”
Sir Stephen is expected to publish his review’s final report later in the autumn.