The number of people claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in England and Wales has reached a record high of 393 million, according to latest figures. The surge in claims comes as the government prepares to unveil controversial cuts to disability benefits, sparking widespread opposition from Labour MPs and poverty campaigners.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a package of changes on Tuesday that could deny benefits to individuals who require assistance with washing, preparing food, or remembering to use the toilet. The measures aim to overhaul the welfare system and save between £5bn and £6bn, but critics argue they will disproportionately affect the most severely disabled people.
Downing Street has defended the reforms, stating there is a “moral and economic case” for change. The prime minister’s spokesperson said the current system is “holding our people back” and that the government has a duty to ensure the safety net supports the most vulnerable while encouraging employment. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall is expected to announce an extra £1bn annually to help people back into work.
However, former Bank of England deputy governor Charlie Bean warned against kneejerk cuts to meet fiscal targets, describing the current approach as “pretty ridiculous.” He urged the government to focus on helping those who can work back into employment rather than simply cutting costs. Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the need to reduce government borrowing, citing £100bn spent annually on debt servicing.
The disability minister, Stephen Timms, refused to guarantee that the most disabled individuals who cannot work would not see their support reduced. Labour veteran Diane Abbott described the cuts as “not a Labour thing to do,” while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham warned they would trap people in poverty. New analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that the majority of those on the highest disability benefit have physical disabilities, contradicting government claims about mental illness.
