Time running out to challenge PIP vouchers as Labour stay silent
PUBLISHED: 09 JULY 2024
The consultation on plans to replace personal independence payment (PIP) with vouchers or a catalogue ends on 22 July, with Labour so far showing no signs of disowning the proposals. Benefits and Work is urging readers to have their say before it is too late.
As most readers will be aware, the Conservatives published a Green Paper on the future of PIP in April 2024. Amongst the proposals were suggestions that instead of regular cash payments, PIP could be replaced with:
A catalogue/shop scheme
A voucher scheme
A receipt based system
One-off grants
Labour failed to condemn these proposals in the run-up to the general election and have continued to remain silent since gaining power, even though there is now no risk of them losing votes by speaking out.
According to the Mirror:
“Labour insiders have hinted they’ll review the public’s response to these proposals after the consultation wraps up on July 22, which falls three weeks post-election.”
Labour have also said nothing about planned changes to the work capability assessment (WCA) from 2025, that would lead to an estimated 424,000 claimants losing over £400 a month.
Ten leading charities, including:
Child Poverty Action Group
Disability Rights UK
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Mind
Save the Children
have written to Liz Kendall, secretary of state for work and pensions. They have asked her to halt the proposed changes to the WCA and to PIP and replace them with plans that are “redesigned with disabled people at the centre.”
So far, there has been no response.
You can find out more about the changes to PIP and how to take part in the consultation here.
https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/time-running-out-to-challenge-pip-vouchers