“Whilst getting concessions should not be sneered at, it is difficult to envision what those concessions look like… many of the announcements on welfare issues have been just as bad, if not worse than, those for earlier Conservative governments.”
Kathy Bole, Disability Labour, writes on the impacts of the cuts to disability support that remain in the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, following the Government’s concessions won by disabled people’s organisations.
The Universal Credit (UC) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) bill has been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny in recent days. While some concessions have been made last minute to address some of the criticisms, several significant issues remain unresolved and unwritten, making it difficult to see all the snags that may exist.
Distrust in the government
Whilst getting concessions should not be sneered at, it is difficult to envision what those concessions look like. The government has continued its clear assault on vulnerable groups throughout its first year, whether it has been WASPI women, pensioners, or disabled people. In fact, many of the announcements on welfare issues have been just as bad, if not worse than, those for earlier Conservative governments.
Two Tier System
The disabled community is vehemently opposed to the creation of the two-tier system which will be created by grandfathering current claimants and introducing new rules for new claimants. This two-tier system is against the Trade Union principles which many of the Labour Party members follow.
Assessment Process
The assessment process for both UC and PIP has been widely criticised for its lack of transparency and consistency. Claimants often report that the assessments do not accurately reflect their needs, conditions or even what has been said during the assessment interview. There have also been rumours of quotas to reject a certain number of claimants.
Debbie Abrahams, chair of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee, has voiced her concerns, stating, “The assessment process is fundamentally flawed and does not accurately capture the needs of claimants. We need a system that is fair, transparent, and consistent”
Financial Inadequacy
Another significant issue is the financial inadequacy of the benefits provided. While the recent concessions have included some increases in payment rates, many claimants will still have difficulty paying their bills. SCOPE has stated “Our latest findings show that disabled households need an extra £1,095 each month. This is just to have the same standard of living as non-disabled households.”
As inflation is expected to rise over the next five years so these extra costs of disability could rise to as much as £1,224 per month by 2029–2030.
Reassessment Rules
The PIP system involves reassessment rules. Under the new guidelines, individuals who are already receiving PIP will be reassessed and remain on the old terms. However, new claimants will have to meet harsher assessment rules. This distinction has raised concerns about fairness and consistency in the treatment of claimants. Many argue that the new rules could disproportionately affect new claimants, making it more difficult for them to qualify for the support they need.
Role of Sir Stephen Timms
Sir Stephen Timms has played a significant role in the development of the UC and PIP bill. As the author of the bill, Sir Stephen has been instrumental in shaping its provisions and guiding its passage through Parliament. Additionally, Sir Stephen is set to lead the review of the bill, which aims to address some of the ongoing issues and make further improvements. This dual role has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, but it also offers an opportunity for a comprehensive and informed review process.
Impact on Mental Health
The stress and uncertainty associated with the UC and PIP systems can have a significant impact on claimants’ mental health. The fear of sanctions, the complexity of the application process, and the financial inadequacy of the benefits can all contribute to increased anxiety and depression.
The Access to Work scheme is totally inadequate to support the number of successful disabled employees the government wants to get into work. No small business will hire those needing help through access to work as the cost of reasonable adjustments would make disabled candidates more expensive than their non-disabled counterparts
Potential Impacts on New Claimants
New claimants will face several challenges under the new UC and PIP bill:
- Stricter Assessment Criteria: New claimants will have to meet more stringent criteria to qualify for benefits, potentially making it more difficult for them to receive support.
- Higher Levels of Stress and Anxiety: The more stringent assessment process and the uncertainty of qualifying for benefits can contribute to higher levels of stress and anxiety among new claimants.
- Potential for Increased Appeals: There may be an increase in the number of appeals against decisions, leading to longer waiting times for new claimants to receive a final decision on their benefits.
- Disparity Between New and Existing Claimants: The distinction between new and existing claimants could create a sense of unfairness and disparity, with new claimants feeling that they are being treated unjustly compared to those already receiving benefits.
- Kathy Bole is the Chair of Disability Labour. You can follow her on Twitter here; and follow Disability Labour on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter/X.
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