The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system has been deemed 'no longer fit for purpose' by an interim review, prompting promises of 'bold' reform from the government. Claimants often find the application process 'dehumanising', 'soul destroying', and 'degrading', according to the Timms report.
Rising Claimant Numbers
PIP is intended to help with everyday tasks and extra living costs for individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities. As of April 2026, there were 4.01 million claimants in England and Wales, roughly doubling from 2.05 million in January 2019. The number of claimants with autistic spectrum disorders has more than doubled in six years, while those with ADHD has almost quadrupled.
Review and Recommendations
The review, led by Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms, was launched after the government abandoned immediate reform plans due to backbench Labour opposition. The final report, due in autumn, will include recommendations to ensure PIP is 'fit and fair for the future'. The review team stated: 'Our message is simple: PIP is not working. It is not working for the people that go through the process, nor for a Government committed to supporting disabled people.'
Negative Experiences
The team, which includes Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson, both with lived experience of disability, reported that feedback from almost 40,000 people and organisations found over 90% described negative experiences of the claiming process. The review stated: 'Our evidence so far tells us that while PIP is widely valued as a benefit, it is no longer fit for purpose.'
Government Response
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said he told the review panel to consider 'whether the assessment process is today really fit for the range of conditions, and the rise in the reports of some conditions that have been reported compared to when it was conceived 13 years ago'. He urged them to be 'ambitious' in their recommendations.
Demographic Trends
Of the 4.01 million claimants, 1.56 million (39%) had psychiatric disorders, the highest proportion. Some 258,539 claimants had autistic spectrum disorders, up from 103,414 in April 2020. A further 435,330 had mixed anxiety and depressive disorders, up from 214,119, while 100,207 had ADHD or ADD, up from 28,740. The second most common disability was general musculoskeletal diseases, affecting 752,799 people (19%).
The report noted that mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions have 'increased significantly' since 2009, while musculoskeletal conditions like back pain and arthritis rose 'only slowly', likely due to an ageing society. The report said demographics 'do not obviously explain the trends in the mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions'.
Age Distribution
Teenagers and young adults account for a growing proportion of PIP claimants: 16.6% of all claimants in April 2026 were aged 16-29, up from 14.3% in April 2020. The 30-44 age group rose to 20.9% from 18.7%, while the 45-59 age group fell to 28.9% from 36.0%. The 60-74 age group remained broadly unchanged at 31.1%.
Stakeholder Reactions
Sir Stephen Timms said: 'This interim report delivers a clear message: while PIP is widely valued as a benefit, it is not working as intended and needs fundamental change.' Dr Clenton Farquharson added: 'As we move towards final recommendations, we need to be bold in our ambition, practical in our proposals, and focused on making PIP fair, trusted and fit for the future.'
Charlotte Gill, head of campaigns at the MS Society, said the review was a chance to 'build a PIP system that acknowledges invisible and fluctuating symptoms, ends unnecessary reassessments, and works for everyone'. She stressed: 'But the next steps are crucial – and must continue involving and listening to disabled people.'
Sarah Hughes, chief executive of mental health charity Mind, said: 'PIP is a lifeline for people who, through no fault of their own, live with the additional costs of mental illness. So as this work progresses, it's vital that, alongside improving the process, we also recognise that in a decent society we must support those facing additional need.'
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Mencap, welcomed the co-production approach and hoped it would 'help to restore trust in the welfare systems that many of us rely on'. Marie Curie senior policy manager Becca Stacey said: 'Ending reassessments and introducing lifetime awards for people with terminal and progressive, life-limiting conditions would create a fairer, more compassionate system that treats people with dignity.'
The Carers Trust warned of a 'complete lack of trust in the system, with many carers describing it as trying to ‘catch them, or the person they care for, out’', and called for reforms that make the process 'more humane, flexible, and understanding of people’s lived experience'.
