The interim Timms report has concluded that personal independence payment (Pip) is 'no longer fit for purpose' and requires fundamental reform. Claimants often describe the application process as 'dehumanising,' 'soul destroying,' and 'degrading,' according to the review.
Purpose of Pip
Pip is designed to assist with everyday tasks and extra living costs for individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities. Official figures from earlier this year showed that the number of claimants in England and Wales surpassed four million for the first time, roughly doubling since 2019. The number of claimants with autistic spectrum disorders has more than doubled in six years, while those with mixed anxiety and depressive disorders have also increased significantly. The number with ADHD has almost quadrupled in the same period.
Review Background
The review was launched last year after ministers were forced to backtrack on plans to reform disability benefits, including those for mental health conditions, due to backbench Labour opposition. Led by disability minister Sir Stephen Timms, the review gathered views on Pip, with the Government promising no changes until the final report is completed. The final report, due in autumn, will include recommendations for change, with the Government insisting it will ensure Pip is 'fit and fair for the future.'
Bold Recommendations
The review team stated that their recommendations will be 'bold in nature and bold in recognition of the wider environment in which disabled people in the UK are living.' They added: '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.' The team, which includes Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson, both with lived experience of disability, said feedback from almost 40,000 people and organisations found that more than 90% described negative experiences of the claiming process.
Rise in Claimants
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. DWP data from June showed 4.01 million Pip claimants in April 2026, up 7% in a year. Of those, 1.56 million had psychiatric disorders (39%), 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. Musculoskeletal diseases affected 752,799 people (19%).
Demographic Trends
The report noted that numbers reporting mental health conditions and autism have 'increased significantly' since 2009, while musculoskeletal conditions like back pain and arthritis have risen 'only slowly,' likely due to an ageing society. It said demographics 'do not obviously explain the trends in the mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.' Teenagers and young adults account for a growing proportion of Pip recipients: 16.6% of all claimants in April were aged 16-29, up from 14.3% in April 2020. The 30-44 age group accounted for 20.9%, up from 18.7%, while the 45-59 group fell to 28.9% from 36.0%. The 60-74 age group remained broadly unchanged at 31.1%.
Reactions from Charities
Sir Stephen 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 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, called for a system that 'acknowledges invisible and fluctuating symptoms, ends unnecessary reassessments, and works for everyone.' Sarah Hughes, chief executive of Mind, said: 'Pip is a lifeline for people who... live with the additional costs of mental illness.' Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Mencap, welcomed the co-production approach. 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.' The Carers Trust warned of a 'complete lack of trust in the system' and called for reforms that focus on 'making the process more humane, flexible, and understanding of people's lived experience.'
