Government gives update on Pip review as claimants reach record high
As the review into the payment continues, disabled people have been asked to share their views on the future of Personal Independence Payment (Pip), Britain’s most claimed health and disability benefit.
The review, chaired by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, was announced last year after elements of the Government’s flagship benefits bill – which proposed restricting Pip eligibility – were scrapped in the face of a major Commons rebellion in the summer.
Ministers have promised that any changes to Pip will be delayed until the review is completed. The benefit is designed to help cover the extra costs of living with an illness or disability.
The findings are expected to be presented to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden in the autumn, with an interim update expected before then.
Charities have previously raised concerns, warning the review “cannot be about making cuts” and calling on Sir Stephen to ensure the views of disabled people are meaningfully taken into account.
A call for evidence was launched on Thursday, with disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, who is leading the review, saying it was “vital that as many people as possible have the chance to contribute”.
He said: “I would encourage anyone, including young people, with experience of the Pip system or relevant expertise to submit their views.
“This is just the first step in our broader engagement program. I look forward to announcing more ways to get involved as our work continues.”
The call for evidence has been welcomed by many disability organizations and charities. Charles Gillies, policy co-chair of the Disability Benefits Consortium and senior policy officer at the MS Society, said: “PIP has been failing disabled people for too long. For example, assessments often fail to take into account the variable and invisible symptoms of conditions such as MS.”
“The Timms Review is an opportunity to finally address these issues, so we’re pleased that the call for evidence aims to hear from disabled people across the country. We also encourage anyone with experience of PIP to share their views. The steering group should also provide accessible ways to make sure more people can take part, including face-to-face and online events.”
The number of Pip claimants in England and Wales reached 3.93 million in January 2026, according to data published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on Tuesday.
This figure reached a new record, up 233,080 (6%) from 3.69 million a year ago.
The number of claimants has almost doubled since comparable figures began seven years ago in January 2019, when the total number was 2.05 million.
To inform its work, the review team is asking disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, their representative organisations, carers, clinicians, experts and MPs to contribute to the call for evidence, which runs until 28 May.
Sharon Brennan, co-chair of the review, said: “It is crucial to the success of this review that we hear open and honest views from the wide range of disabled people, carers, advocates and others who wish to participate.
“So this call for evidence is just the start of our engagement plans, which will be broad and diverse to ensure people can present their views in a way that suits them.”
Ms. Brennan and co-chair Dr. Clenton Farquharson both had experience of disability.
Dr Farquharson said: “This call for evidence is an important opportunity to hear directly from disabled people, carers, organizations and others who have experience of the system. We want to hear honestly about what works, what doesn’t, and what a fairer and more humane system should look like.”
