Labour gives latest update on PIP disability benefit review
The government’s review into the UK’s most claimed disability and health benefits has provided a fresh update, with new experts appointed to lead the process.
The review, chaired by Disability and Social Security Minister Sir Stephen Timms, focuses on personal independence payment (PIP), which is currently claimed by 3.8 million people. The benefit is designed to help cover the extra costs of living with an illness or disability.
Earlier this year Labor Party proposals to change the assessment criteria to make it effectively harder to claim the benefit were met with fierce opposition from campaign groups and politicians.
Ministers backed down on the plans in late June after more than 100 Labor MPs threatened to vote against the government on the measures. The concession and review were announced by Sir Stephen amid debate over the legislation.
The study will focus largely on the PIP assessment process, which has long been criticized by disability rights advocates. Sir Stephen is expected to report his findings by Autumn 2026, with an interim report some time before that.
One of the key criticisms of the government’s plans was that the government did not consult disabled people about the changes; This led to accusations that the legislation was rushed.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said the report, called the Timms Review, will be produced in partnership with disabled people to address this issue, starting with two newly announced co-chairs, Dr Clenton Farquharson and Sharon Brennan.
Dr Farquharson has more than 25 years’ experience as a national advocate for disability rights and social justice, according to the DWP.
Meanwhile, Ms Brennan has expertise as director of policy and external affairs at National Voices, a coalition of health and care charities, and has advised the Department for Transport on accessibility as a member of the disabled people’s transport advisory committee.
Sir Stephen said: “We are ensuring that people with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions have access to the same opportunities, choices and chances as everyone else.
“That’s why we’re putting them at the center of the first comprehensive review of PIP, making sure it’s fair and fit for the future.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE and Sharon Brennan as co-chairs of the Review and encourage people with lived experience to apply to be part of this important work.”
The announcement of the new chairmen also marks the start of the recruitment process for the review’s wider management group. The DWP announced that it aims to recruit 12 members to this group, the majority of whom will be disabled people or representatives of disabled people’s organisations.
The ministry added that this group would oversee a “programme of engagement”, drawing on a wide range of evidence and sources.
James Taylor, Scope’s chief strategy officer, said: “Life is much more expensive for disabled people and PIP is vital. But there are issues that need to be fixed, such as misunderstandings of assessments and a lack of trust between assessors and disabled people.
“We welcome the announcement that a group of disability experts will be ‘at the heart’ of this review, but ministers’ commitments to co-produce reforms with disabled people have been approached in good faith. It is vital that the government delivers on this promise.”
“We will continue to press the DWP to listen to the experiences of the millions who rely on PIP to live and understand their extra costs better than anyone.”
