The Conservative Party is seeking to force a Commons vote against Labour's plan to reduce the frequency of reviews for the main disability benefit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP). New regulations that took effect earlier this month allow the Government to extend the duration of PIP awards in an effort to reduce the backlog of reviews. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has tabled an amendment to force a vote by MPs when the legislation is debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
Conservatives Criticise Labour's Welfare Approach
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately condemned the move, stating: “Labour’s only plan for welfare is watering down benefits checks – reviewing fewer people, less often. It’s an outrageous kick in the teeth to working people footing the bill.” She added: “These reviews check that benefit claims are accurate. Longer gaps between reviews mean more of your money handed out with no scrutiny. Whether it’s Burnham or Starmer, the Welfare Party are only interested in handing out more in benefits.”
Whately outlined the Conservative alternative: “The Conservatives would take the opposite approach. We will stop disability claims for mild mental health, bring back face-to-face assessments, and are launching a root-and-branch review of the disability system. We will get Britain working again.”
PIP Claimants Surpass Four Million
Data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed that the number of people in England and Wales claiming PIP has exceeded four million for the first time. In April 2026, there were 4.01 million recipients, up from 3.74 million a year earlier – an increase of 266,175, or 7%. Since comparable records began in January 2019, the claimant count has roughly doubled from 2.05 million.
Teenagers and young adults account for a growing proportion of those receiving PIP. The benefit is intended to help with everyday tasks and extra living costs for individuals with long-term physical or mental health conditions or disabilities, but the surge in claims has put pressure on the system.
Labour Responds to Conservative Criticism
A Labour Party spokesperson dismissed the Conservative attack as “pure hypocrisy”. They noted: “They allowed face-to-face assessments to collapse to just 2%, and their own Shadow Chancellor signed contracts which committed to 80% of assessments being carried out virtually.” The spokesperson added: “While the Tories try and rewrite history, this Labour Government is getting on with the job, cutting unnecessary reassessments for people with lifelong conditions, reducing bureaucracy, and saving almost £2 billion by the end of this Parliament.”
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had previously been forced to abandon plans to reform welfare last year amid a Labour rebellion. Instead, the Timms Review was launched to gather views on PIP and its operation.
