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.

UPDATE 11 July

Liz Kendall made a speech in Leeds today in which she said that rising levels of economic inactivity are unacceptable and that immediate action must be taken.  She highlighted the fact that a record 2.8 million people are out of work due to long-term sickness. 

Kendall said that the government would: ".... create more good jobs, make work pay, transform skills, and overhaul jobcentres, alongside action to tackle the root causes of worklessness including poor physical and mental health."

Kendall made no reference to PIP or work capability assessment changes and did not address the issue of the speeded-up timetable for forced migration to universal credit.

More details here.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    .Leave it as it is. People suffer from stress more now than ever due to the state of things. People with physical and mental health don't need added stress .there will be more poor souls committing suicide,we all know stress is one of the biggest killers.life is hard enough.some people are able to work with their disability and are happy to do so.others dread the day beginning.
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    · 4 months ago
    My needs are broad, yearly prescription pre-payment certificate, gardener, cleaner, health supplements by post, easy to prepare food (which needs to be delivered), taxis when I can't drive, Just Eat when I'm too ill to cook, acupuncture, massage, physio, optician and dentist as my condition affects eyes and teeth too, sunscreen, food supplements, specific footwear. How will this new system cover all of those different things?

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      · 4 months ago
      @Julie I am exactly the same , I did the online survey and said some of the things you have , as your needs can  change each week each day even to what you need money to pay  for whatever you're conditions require there and then ! It's not as if we have a crystal ball for goodness sake !
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    · 4 months ago
    Guess imma die on the streets then, my performance sucks at every job as it is no matter how hard I try cuz of my learning difficulties and i need pip to fall back on when I get fired
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      · 4 months ago
      @Jake I'm the same. I will have to die before they force me into a job that I won't be any good at. It's a terrible situation to be in, not one I'd wish on anyone. All hope of compassion from our political leaders has evaporated. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    I think its disgraceful that we are getting vouchers ..people will be stigmatised if this goes ahead 
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    · 4 months ago
    I am still on D.L.A at the moment,will vouchers replace this too? Has anyone heard anything?
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    · 4 months ago
    Why should we be given vouchers so they control where we shop havent they realised we can get the same things cheaper elsewhere .its the same dwp who has given my disabled partner who can do the job of a carer to me carers allowance and says they havent  funny tht just cause we have evidence ie payment  details but ot was all confirmed over the phone thought all calls were recorded  
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    · 4 months ago
    I feel that the vouchers are an insult, But that's  from the idiotic Tories who just give a Damn of why I'm  on P.I.P. In the 1st place... 
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    · 4 months ago
    Need this money to help me with my meta health don’t go out the house think it rong stay in my black hole this money help me with my mental illness 
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    · 4 months ago
    I struggle badly with mental health issues an self harming an im high sucide risk i have to pick my meds up daily i isolate my self in my bedroom an reley on support from my family an mental health support workers last time i saw my phycharist he raised concerns for my mental health living with all this feels like the goverment are putting more pressure on people with mental health issues if it goes to vouchers its going to be heart breaking as the sucide rate will climb evan higher 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    I don't agree with this at all people go on pip to help them manage financial difficulties faced with being disabled mentally and or physically the cash payment goes towards them being able to do day to day things without the stress and worry of how they are going to do it for example a mobility vehicle? These so called vouchers and catalogues companies and government companies are going to hike prices up to cash in because they know that these vouchers can only be used by them. Again making the poor worse off and lining the pockets of the rich and in power. If they want to do cut backs why don't they start with themselves instead of targeting people who need it the most. I think it's a total disgrace 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    Vouchers no good especially where very little public transport, carers, food delivery etc.  we need money to buy our heating, food, meals, help at home, etc. absolutely no use to get talking therapy, exercise, etc! 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    What was the name of the  mp who said “ someone on pip getting £800 a month year after year , could use a one off voucher to have a rail put in the home, enabling independence and no need for continuous monthly payouts “ 

    I have rails all around my home , my esa goes on bills and shopping . 
    My pip goes on transportation as I cannot drive now, and heating and energy essential for my mobility . 

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    Use the pip for cloths for my  special need  kids and thinks they need think it rong stop cash payment and need it for think like clothes trainer as kid got autism need can’t talk tell saw try give tham good life with cash payment 
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    · 4 months ago
    I think put disabled ppl on to vouchers is ridiculous,  it's discrimination for a start , other ppl will know you're on benefits when you pay for something with a voucher so that stigmatises ppl , and why only pip and disabled ppl on vouchers why not the others on benefits too ? Pay their electricity and gas bills with vouchers and for shopping too, give them to everyone and see it will not work, they tried this with Cameron and saw it wouldn't work,  it will just create a black market, where ppl will see their vouchers for cash , or order stuff for other ppl amd they will pay them the cash , the government doesn't have a clue how other ppl live , they only know how to live on 100 grand a year so they're all happy aren't they,? Let them try to live on benefits for an whole year , not a week like that one tried and he couldn't cope for a week on benefits 😉  then they would see how ppl on benefits have to live and budget , we're not all on benefits cause we don't want to work, I worked all my life and it was my job that caused all my health issues so I've paid my share of tax and national insurance to get something back from the government,  were not all lazy ppl some of us really suffer with pain and struggle to live each month,  so let them think about that before they ruin the lives of an hell of a lot of ppl that do deserve benefits...
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    I really don't what Vouchers I need the cash for my mobility scooter if  it goes to vouchers I will lose it and I'll be house bound again which I don't what
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    · 4 months ago
    My mom things having vouchers for her is no good as the vouchers are not going to pay for taxis to get my mom around for her appointments is it so I think my mom better off having her payments as it helps her 
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      · 4 months ago
      @Mizzy Yes and Taxis only take cash or visa card payments sop either way is a stupid idea to even try and implement. But hey ho, they know best. dont they ??
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    Both myself and my son are on pip.
    I use mine for getting to and from medical appointments and the odd trip out. As I have a VERY RARE ALLERGY TO MOST PLATICS, I have to look out sit the box to find medical equipment that is plastics free so it is safe for me.
    I have already spoken to my ot about equipment but they can only supply me with plastic ones. All the vouchers and catalogues will do is make my life impossible to live with if not kill me.
    Please leave the pip alone.
    my sons is used for anything that makes his life fun like new games on his VR, these help open up his world in a safe and controlling manner. Vouchers cannot replace the cash that make our lives that little bit easier.
    Yes there are those who it could work with but it is not a one size fits all. 
    For those like me and my son the vouchers and catalogues will make our lives he'll.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    I all so think y mess with that isn't  brocken  
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 4 months ago
    Here comes the struggle not funny. 

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