The Conservative Party is attempting to force a Commons division on Labour's proposals to dilute assessment frequencies for the principal disability allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Fresh statutory instruments took effect this month, enabling the Government to prolong PIP award durations to clear the assessment backlog.
Conservatives Challenge Labour's Welfare Plans
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has lodged an amendment to compel a vote by MPs when the legislation comes before the House of Commons on Wednesday. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately criticized Labour's approach, 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."
Whately 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." She outlined the Conservative alternative: "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 Claimant Numbers Surge Past Four Million
Earlier this month, it emerged that the number of people in England and Wales claiming PIP has surpassed four million for the first time. According to figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), 4.01 million people received the benefit in April 2026, up from 3.74 million the previous year – a jump of 266,175, or 7%. The total has roughly doubled since January 2019, when comparable records began and the figure stood at 2.05 million. Teenagers and young adults account for an increasing share of claimants.
Labour Defends Welfare Reforms
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer abandoned proposals to overhaul the welfare system last year after a Labour rebellion. The Timms Review was subsequently launched to gather views on PIP and its operation. A Labour Party spokesperson responded: "This is pure hypocrisy from the Tories. 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. 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 £2billion by the end of this Parliament."
