Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has admitted that the proposed changes to disability benefits have caused “deep and widespread anxiety” among claimants.
She says the government is making “positive changes” after “real concerns” were raised.
In a statement in the House of Commons, Kendall confirmed that The new four-point requirement will only apply to new claims from Novermber 2026,” adding ths
“No existing claimants will lose Pip because of the changes brought forward in this bill,”
MPs will have twenty four hours in which to scrutinise the bill before voting tomorrow
Kendall told the Commons: “I can today confirm that we will ensure for these groups, the combined value of the Universal Credit standard allowance and the health top-up will rise at least in line with inflation, protecting their incomes from these benefits in real terms every year for the rest of this Parliament.
“Together with the changes to our proposals for PIP, this will ensure no existing claimants are put into poverty as a result of the changes in this Bill.”
changes to the Government’s welfare reforms will cost “around £2.5 billion in 2029/30”.
The Secretary of State said the Government was putting an additional £300 million into employment support for sick and disabled people.”
She told the Commons: “We will be delivering a total of £600 million for support next year, £800 million the year after, and £1 billion in 2028/29, increasing our total spending on employment support for sick and disabled people to £3.8 billion over this Parliament, because disabled people who can work shouldn’t wait to have the same rights and chances to work as everybody else.
“And the measures we are announcing today will cost around £2.5 billion in 2029/30.”
