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Labour spins out PIP voucher anxiety as it looks at consultation responses

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Labour is leaving millions of claimants in a state of anxiety as it reveals that it is looking at the responses to the Conservative’s green paper on PIP which suggested, amongst other things, the possibility of paying the benefit as vouchers rather than cash.

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

The consultation period for the Green Paper ended on 22 July and we know that many of our readers took part and are desperate to know the outcome.

Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Thomas of Winchester tabled a question for the DWP in the House of Lords:

“To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to change the personal independence payment assessment.”

Yesterday, the answer came from Baroness Sherlock, the DWP minister in the House of Lords:

“We will be engaging with the responses people have made to the previous government's consultation on Personal Independence Payment, which closed on Monday 22 July.

“We want to thank the many people who invested their time in responding.

“We will be considering our own approach to social security in due course.”

The response by Baroness Sherlock makes it seem unlikely that there will be any official statement on PIP changes before the parliamentary summer recess, which lasts from 30 July until 2 September.

However, the House of Commons goes into recess again for the party conference season from 13 September until 6 October.

So, there is a real possibility that PIP claimants will be left without any news for several months.

Written questions by MPs to the secretary of state about the PIP consultation and about WCA changes have yet to receive answers.  We suspect that any responses will simply be stalling ones, but we’ll keep readers posted if we learn anything more.

 

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Margaret
    · 3 months ago
    Margaret. Cannot understand why the government want to bring in a voucher scheme instead of PIPs. People who cannot walk to far such as myself depend on a car. As I did not qualify for mobility I have to pay for insurance, petrol, servicing, taxing, repairs and m.o.t. cannot see garages accepting vouchers for these items. If I did not have a car I would have to pay for taxis again because I cannot stand for too long again buses won't accept vouchers. Energy firms need to have a voucher scheme in place. Vouchers are a ridiculous idea. I am now getting state pension but because of rise in pension I am paying more in tax than the pay rise. People who have worked all their lives and paid taxes seem to be always at the blunt end of these ideas. Government need to understand everyone's needs are different and would cost more to put on place. This would involve employing extra staff again costing more. Are you really thinking about the implications to your impractical suggestion. MPs need to be given basic money to live on and see how they like it. Cut MPs expenses and you would have a lot of extra money.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @Margaret Maybe labour going to say, if your on high mobility rate, then you get vouchers.  If not your snookered.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    PHIL
    · 3 months ago
    Why not scrap the assessment system and instead means test on each condition the person has and how severe that condition is and simply get a GP report for this. I've applied for ADHD, Autism and Anxiety and depression and Bi Polar 5 times in 6 years and every time I've been turned down for different stupid reasons. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @PHIL Doctors have already come out and told the government they don't have time to do what you have just said.

      They would have to hire a completely specialist team for this and that would just cost them more money. 

      The idea going to cost them more then it saves. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anonymous
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon Exactly. I have a rare condition and my money helps me to het the treatments that are not offered in the nhs and see my consultant in London. This is £550 ro see him plus travel for myself and my husband. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon2
      · 3 months ago
      @Louise Owen Yes and they are told to reject 40% of claims apparently 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Louise Owen
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon PIP doesn't call people up for more assessments - the Assessors do. 
      The Assessors are a totally independent company. 
      They make their money by calling people up and doing assessments. See the problem here? ...
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @PHIL Not only does this sound incredibly unfair as conditions affect different people in various ways and it's therefore impossible to put a price tag on them, it just wouldn't be cost effective because you would need a larger workforce to make this kind of thing work. Something which I can't imagine DWP spending money on.

      Ironically, reducing the number of assessments and not calling up people who are obviously not going to improve for reassessment would actually save DWP money in terms of manpower and time but we all know they'd never concede to giving out lifetime awards because they'll deem that as letting money walk out of the door.

      I am sorry to hear you've been turned down repeatedly, however. It sounds like you need to appeal. PIP assessments are not decided by your assessor but by some bigwig behind a desk with no medical knowledge ultimately. If you go to tribunal, you'll at least get somebody who will take your medical evidence more seriously. Best of luck.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anan
    · 3 months ago
    Well,all I can say is they gave just taken payments off pensioners,now you have to be on benefits and 80 th get winter fuel allowance, so I can't see them not following through with completely decimating the pip system, now the question is when? How soon and how we're going to be hit
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Henry
      · 3 months ago
      @Anan Not too sure they will decimate it. There's a big backlash going on and not sure they'd want to go that much further for now 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      S brown
      · 3 months ago
      @Anan You don't have to be 80 to get the winter fuel allowance.  You just get £100 more if you're that age.   I don't think the voucher scheme will go ahead for PIP - it would be too difficult. Many of us rely on taxis, for example, because we don't drive and can't use public transport.  That's never going to work with vouchers, because there are so many taxi firms across the country.  And how could they work it, anyway?  Only give vouchers for taxis within a certain number of miles?  If not, we could book a holiday halfway across the country and go there by taxi fully paid!  It would be a nightmare.  
      My guess is that it might remain monthly payments but means tested instead.  THat said, is that going to save much money when many on PIP get Universal Credit or ESA anyway?  But how much would it cost to implement a new scheme with vouchers?  Fourteen years on from the announcement of UC, and there's still most of us on ESA who haven't been transferred over.  Any savings a new system might make for the public coffers will probably cost too much money to set up.   The best way to reduce the benefits bill is to get hospital waiting lists down so that those who are "temporarily ill or disabled" are healthy again and no longer need to claim.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anon
    · 3 months ago
    Just read a report that includes a quote from Stephen Timms - the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability - who states that the consultation got over 16,000 responses: https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2024/07/30/dwp-pip-latest/

    Here's hoping that it's enough to paint a clear enough picture of how devastating these proposals would be if they're implemented. Though Timms also echoed the same sentiment as Baroness Sherlock, he emphasises that the proposals were drawn up by the previous government and that Labour are considering "their own approach":

    "The proposals in this Green Paper were developed by the previous government. We will be considering our own approach to social security in due course.”

    The lack of transparency obviously isn't reassuring for me or most people here but here's hoping that Labour's "own approach" includes staying far away from the idea of changing PIP's cash system. It's worth noting that the consultation was about PIP and its process as a whole, not just about the proposed payment changes so there's probably other things regarding PIP that Labour feel is worth looking into before they go forward with anything. Fingers crossed, everyone.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @Elsa Sadly this was never main line news or anything that is why limited number of poeple replied. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Marcus
      · 3 months ago
      @Mr Ben I too learned about the consultation period TODAY, a few days after it CLOSED.  I get lower rate on both parts, due to autism spectrum.  I am in work (as a teacher) but there have been occasions where I have received gentle warnings (not disciplinaries thank God) due to my appearance.  As a result, I now pay for someone to do cleaning and laundry for me, as domestic duties is something I struggle with as part of the autism.  I don't cook (I actually 'blew up' a kitchen once - long story short a can of condensed milk exploded, covering the place in boiling hot caramel.  No one was injured luckily), as my absent-mindedness (from autism) means I can lose focus on extended tasks.   The college canteen is actually providing me with frozen meals I can microwave at home - but this comes at an increased food cost, but much better quality than supermarket meals.

      I also do drive, but if I have to go anywhere new for an appointment, I NEED to travel the route IN ADVANCE, otherwise I will not allow enough time to find it / get lost along the way.

      How would a vouchers scheme work for me?  I really don't think it could...

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Mr Ben
      · 3 months ago
      @Elsa not everyone was notified.. I only heard about this pathetic voucher scheme after the door was close.. I'm probably 1 in several tens of thousands. 


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon That’ll be a hard scenario for Labour to sell to me. I personally really doubt people who are happy to be fed lies by the media like spoiled piglets would have the enthusiasm to fill out the consultation. It wasn’t exactly something that could be filled out in so many minutes and if not filling it out gets the same result as saying these new proposals are a good idea, why bother? 

      I feel most of these responses will say they hate the idea and adequately explain why. If there were millions upon millions of responses, I could see your point but a number that low? I’m skeptical. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Elsa
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon Depressing that only 16,000 replied. I replied. We need to be heard.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dickdasterdly
    · 3 months ago
    They think pip is just for things directly related to a disability.But it gives us the ability to buy Christmas and birthday presents,and when it’s my turn to buy a McDonalds I can and that’s rare usually my family picks up the bill obviously uber I don’t go out.But other than that we aren’t living in the lap of Luxury we or I don’t go on holidays.I basically never leave my house.But this not being able to afford the basics…and in gods honest truth this would make me feel even more suicidal that I do already,I’m already teetering on the edge.My whole family besides me voted labour with the thought they would protect esa pip,and most definitely wouldn’t go after pensioners.My elderly mom works and takes care of me.Since she got to state pension age she still works 25-30 hours a week and her tax has doubled now she doesn’t get the winter fuel payments she relied on absolutely shocking and scandalous.So disappointed by sir starmer prime minister.Please reconsider
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Lynsey
    · 3 months ago
    I wish I had the mental capability to deal with any of this, I'm burnt out enough as it is
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Kerry
      · 3 months ago
      @Lynsey It's so annoying, they don't realise the stress it puts on people, especially the ones already suffering with panic and anxiety related mental health issues.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anon
    · 3 months ago
    People here really need to please stop saying Reeves/Kendall have most certainly said this and that about "cutting" welfare without linking a credible source that isn't built on pure speculation (i.e. outlets presenting the voucher scheme as a definite when it's still in the proposal stage and always has been). All you're doing is spreading misinformation and scaring people.

    Announcing a date for a Budget is NOT the same as announcing that they're cutting welfare. That defeats the object of setting a date and working out finances towards it. Labour haven't said a word yet about cutting welfare. Any previous estimates on what would be cut from welfare were presented by the previous Tory government, who are no longer in power.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      S brown
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon This is true.  The only comment they have made is about getting people back into work - and they have already said a number of times that the best way to reduce disability or health DWP benefits is by reducing waiting lists for things like hip or knee replacements, and by getting a mental health service that actually functions.  To show how bad it's got, I got counselling on the NHS within 5 weeks in 2011.  In 2022, the waiting list for 18 months.  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    ElHlis
    · 3 months ago
    As the government seems to be looking for ways to save money, I believe the council tax bands, which currently go up to H, should be extended, perhaps up to band T. For example, my house is in Band E but is worth £550,000, and there are properties worth millions that are under-taxed.

    Additionally, why doesn't the UK government charge foreign visitors a tax or visa fee, like the US ESTA system? This could generate more revenue and would be a fairer approach than targeting vulnerable people
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Paul Jones
      · 3 months ago
      @ElHlis I totally understand your frustration with the councils tax bands I fully agree with you why should someone living in say Mayfair in London in say a £25 Million apartment only be in H band.



      I fully understand that they have paid stamp duty tax.
      I fully understand that they have worked hard for their money.

      But hard working people on lower wages also work hard and may live in a property as yourself say in £500,000 property.

      It doesn’t justify with a £20 billion government black hole cutting back on the lowest paid workers.

      Tax the privileged that can afford to pay a decent portion for their local council tax with higher bands for the Millionaire properties in the UK 

      To reduce the cuts to public services and restore the NHS & police & nurse's and doctors & firemen to their levels before the Conservatives cut the levels when they were in power.

      The government need to address this issue asap rather than taking way the pensioners winter heating payments for those who especially with breathing problems on low pensions who wouldn’t be able to get help from the pension credit due to being just over the threshold say by £100 

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Brian Marriott
    · 3 months ago
    Leave pip as it is 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      julie
      · 3 months ago
      @Brian Marriott Please leave pip alone people will suffer and poverty is bad enuf without doin this please have a heart and leave it alone people rely on this payment?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Lorna Wilson
    · 3 months ago
    Well, they've raided the pensioners already, as the most vulnerable in society, and less of us vote so we will probably be next!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      S brown
      · 3 months ago
      @Lorna Wilson I think there is a big issue with pensioners, though, because many don't know about the benefits that they can claim, whether council tax reductions, housing benefit, or attendance allowance.  And the latter works like PIP - a tricky questionaire intended to trip people up.  AgeUK offer to help people fill the forms in, but most peolpe don't know that, and when they get rejected they just give up and don't appeal or try again.    
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Welshval
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon Agree- it's remarkable how both parties seem to find money for wars 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Louise Owen
      · 3 months ago
      @lesley And?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      lesley
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon
      Hi Anon, I have always said, "while they are giving the money to me, they have less to spend on nuclear arms".  Know someone who works for Babcocks International, they make the Polaris missile.
      Looks at all the money that is wasted on that. Babcocks got fingers in every pie. They even used to do tree management for schools.  Unbelievable what they are into and us poor benefit claimants terrifed that we are going to have our benefits cut. I agree with you about "a slap in the face". We need more help, not less!

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @Lorna Wilson To go with what Lesley said, if said pensioners are on benefits and fall under the savings/capital threshold, they're still entitled to Winter Fuel Payments. It's small comfort but it's something at least.

      Personally, I think it's a bit of a slap in the face after Labour pledged to continue sending weapons to Ukraine. "If we don't have the money, we can't sustain it" seems to apply to everything except giving money to other countries!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    colin
    · 3 months ago
    the country is iirc close to trillion in debt.

    so RR  shafting pensioners  because of a 20billion black hole is a load of manure.

    And she knows it.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bud
    · 3 months ago
    https://apple.news/A8OcrE134S9SdS-zvlXIVJQ

    Not such bad news for those on Pension Credit.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Scrounger
    · 3 months ago
    Bad news guys, Reeves has said she will be cutting welfare in the Autumn Statement on October 30th.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anon
    · 3 months ago
    My main issue is maintaining moods/health issues and juggling everything in between. Any prescriptive scheme will not only fail the most vulnerable but leave society poorer for the inhumanity of it. I too will be watching closely.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anon
    · 3 months ago
    If this does happen people wont be able to cope i have autism and learning difficuilties and a life threatrning liver desease. Also cronic fatique i spend a lot if time in bed. This is making me so anxious and worried. If i could work i would i dont want to be like this


    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      TheDogmother
      · 3 months ago
      @Anon @Anon same, anxious, scared and feeling all over the place. 
      Can't get my head around anything. My fatigue, brain fog are v much at the fore. Takes me ages to even comment on here. I'm physically and mentally exhausted. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    OrangeTom
    · 3 months ago
    https://www.parallelparliament.co.uk/question/1285/social-security-benefits-disability


    Very much avoiding the question arnt they 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      SCD
      · 3 months ago
      @marie Truthfully, I have been had suicidal thoughts at this get back to work and vouchers. I worked for 30+ years and niw that I need the welfare state I am terrified. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @marie Things is ,they dont,because they're not affected, they haven't got a clue what people's lives are like who have mh conditions and how this kind of thing can derail someone who was recovering or starting to recover,it's never about people,it's Always about cutting costs
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Daniel K
      · 3 months ago
      @marie You should show itn news because I am also getting very terrified with this voucher catalogue because it is not on it is not our fault if we have a disability but they just don't want to listen but if they had a disability daughter or son they would get money 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      TheDogmother
      · 3 months ago
      @OrangeTom *For now. That should have been. Sorry heads not working properly  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      marie
      · 3 months ago
      @OrangeTom my brother who as mental health problem cut his wrist and took alot of pills over this DAM VOUCHOUR thing please think about people who are very sick this is making many people young and old so very stressed 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Neal
    · 3 months ago
    However, we must remain constantly alert today and tomorrow to this government, as it is waiting for any opportunity to pounce on it if we do not show strong enough opposition and attention to its projects that harm the poor people. The government will come back and re-come back to the voucher stories, we must be ready for it.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Angel
    · 3 months ago
    No one will be able to buy from shops, cafes, taxis, things people need to feel good and get through the day with. Businesses will go out of business 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Edwards
      · 3 months ago
      @mrfibro It was 12 billion last time wasn't it? they then scrapped dla and started moving people from incapacity benefit to esa because o was one of them,agoraphobic and put in Wragby,told to travel 7 miles to job centre (2 busses)or I'd get sanctioned,I rang the woman on the letter and she was so unsympathetic it was unbelievable  I hadn't gone out in 4 years and I was still expected to attend,luckily for me,my mandatory reconsideration came back in my favour and I was moved to support group, she continued to harass me until my letter came through and I had to send her a copy, utterly clueless because they've never had it,it doesn't exist,unfortunately my own sister is of the same mindset,we don't speak
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @Angel They need to save 12 billion +, but give junior Dr's 20% pay rise.  Even though i'm all for our doctors.  Once they get 20% everyone will come out of the woodwork, and also demand higher wage increases.  Hence labour will keep continuing to shave more billions of the welfare.  Equating to more misery and poverty in a so-called multi rich nation.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    (No) hope
    · 3 months ago
    Was it Mel stride who recently spoke about “ not getting value out of the disabled benefits paid out”, as if there should be some kind of return on the handful of coins they throw our way…. If we’re talking about not getting value, anyone think that an mp is good value for is it 90 odd grand? And don’t get me started on the salary and hours of a gp… and the latest threat of further lightening their own workload. Greed is good sure is alive and well.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Dazza
    · 3 months ago
    I find the idea of a 'catalogue/shop' very demeaning, and what will have is that items that you purchase through this scheme will be very expensive,  and you will be a prisoner to this catalogue/shop. Also what will happen is that any items that you possibly may purchase, will undoubtedly be twice or 3 times the price of other options eg, ebay or Amazon. Over inflated prices for equipment etc that can be purchased elsewhere for half or even a third of the price.
    Anything that is recommended by the government is always more expensive by far, than from other outlets/sources.
    Vouchers will only create a 'stigma' for people on PiP. Like a badge f dishonour or shame. I purchase numerous items to help with my disability, from various sources. Why should I be told what, where and how much I shall pay ( or be fleeced), by PM's that claim for everything under the sun on their expenses...including houses!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      mrfibro
      · 3 months ago
      @Dazza will this catalog cater for my window cleaner.  Or gardener, or decorator ?

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