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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.
    Who Knows
    · 3 months ago
    This may be me being a tad naive in the face of frantically trying to comfort myself in the face of rising anxiety but the Baroness said "our OWN approach to social security". I wonder why they would they say that if they're just going to adopt the ideas that the Tories came up with? That doesn't make any sense to me personally.

    I'm of the opinion that the Labour government doesn't actually know what to do when it comes to PIP. They feel a reform is needed but rendering people without money will also go against their whole policy of not plunging more people into poverty, as per their manifesto. Thus, I feel they're turning to the responses of this consultation to try and get a clearer view of the situation as opposed to just... coming up with something incredibly inhumane and heartless like the Tories did. Which... is a start, I suppose.

    Either way, I'm frustrated because they know the main reason so many people who want to work and aren't able to are off sick is because the NHS is in shambles and they can't get help. They stated this when Sunak came out with these proposals. They even outright said he was trying to use the disabled as a 'scapegoat' to distract from the main issue. The idea that they ARE planning reforms based around PIP anyway despite this and despite the fact it's been found that it's a benefit with a 0% fraud rate is ridiculous. I truly hope we get good news sooner rather than later.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Anon
      · 3 months ago
      @A non-professional sick perso Good for you, but it's almost like your situation isn't everybody's and not everybody can live like you can. Because disabilities aren't a monolith and each one can affect people differently and with varying degrees of severity. 

      "So much self entitlement"? What we currently get on PIP is barely enough to help most people. What about people who need carers? Will they be able to pay them with vouchers? With one-off grants when home care can cost hundreds of pounds a month? 

      Your 'be thankful for what you have... which is actually next to nothing in reality' sentiment isn't helpful or even clever. It's just pure toxic positivity.

      Again, good for you that you've been able to work and provide for yourself but getting on your high horse and making out that the disabled should be thankful for pure scraps and calling people entitled for simply wanting to keep these scraps is disgusting and saying you're benefiting from such a system doesn't excuse you or make you any less narrow-minded, by the way, but nice try nonetheless.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      A non-professional sick perso
      · 3 months ago
      @Who Knows I've only just been awarded PIP and I am grateful for anything. If its a grant end up with someday,- I get to do adjustments to my home to help me fine, if it's vouchers  well they will be well used and fine. I work, I've always worked and paid much on taxes. Now I'm older and almost at retirement my body physically knackered with a degenerating condition, I've lived with a life long neuro divergence too with all that comes with that too, it's come time to admit I need  help - that was hard. So pfft there you go. I'm just glad of the PIP I've been given. 
      So many people afraid of losing cash - does it matter if it's something that helps toward your living? There's a whole world out there who do not even have a welfare system. So much self entitlement. Wake up , no one is entitled to anything in life only what we earn and even that is not guaranteed.  Anything extra is something to be glad for. 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      TheDogmother
      · 3 months ago
      @Who Knows That also stood out to me.
      I did wonder about the "Our Own approach " too.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Sunny
    · 3 months ago
    This seems to be a ploy by the government to worry many vulnerable into taking their own lives so that they can save money.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    CarolK
    · 3 months ago
    It feels like they load the gun for us with all this awful workfare crap they spew out and leave the gun loaded for us to shoot ourselves with.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Pearl
    · 3 months ago
    It's unworkable and they know it. How will they assign vouchers to individual people's needs? They know that people won't be able to use these so called voucher, hence saving them money and neglecting the disabled person's needs. They can't even get right an assessment with the claimant talking to them direct, so how are they proposing to assign this? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jen
    · 3 months ago
    Jen. it is ridiculous that people have paid their taxes and bills all their lives, then they don't get help when needed. As another person said, taxi drivers won't take vouchers, if some one gives you lift to hospital or doctors or shopping, it is only right you offer them some fuel money not vouchers. Some people need extra for special dietary needs , some gas and electric. Everyone is different, then the government would need to employ more staff for the amount of red tape and paperwork. I wonder if the MPs would accept vouchers instead of expense money. Not in their right minds . 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dun F
      · 3 months ago
      @Jen Right on, well said, I completely agree with you, I'm dying from MS, this government is only going to help me to die faster in less comfort with no cash but for a paper book of vouchers, fabulous, who's bright idea was that?

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Neal
      · 3 months ago
      @Jen Wealth inequality
      Wealth inequality is a measure of how unequally wealth is distributed across the population. The wealthiest 10% of households held 43% of all the wealth in Great Britain in the latest period; in comparison the bottom 50% held only 9%.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jim
    · 3 months ago
    And not to mention nursing doctors ,  like iv been waiting 3 months on royal appointment  , there not getting paid ffs 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Melanie
    · 3 months ago
    Each and every government are a set of bastards do they honestly think majority of ppl on pips choose that life do they hell as like I don't get pips but I can see it is such an unfair system and bringing so much worry to ppl 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      C
      · 3 months ago
      @Melanie Why does each government got the chronically ill and disabled to save money??? I can’t think of anything more absurd.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Seb
    · 3 months ago
    To implement such a shift it would take some serious time. People, don't get upset over nothing. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      TheDogmother
      · 3 months ago
      @Seb 18mths for scans, scope test ,MH re assessment,  pain clinic. 
      I expect it will be a much longer wait. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jim
    · 3 months ago
    There is a gaping hole in public funds and it looks like it’s the disabled or ill who are going to pay the price. 

    We’re being clubbed from both sides, screwed by an inept NHS with a complete lack of care or treatments….and the solution?…..to tell us all we have to ‘get back to work’ 

    You can have one or the other, but not both. 

    If I become a burden on my wife and family I’m afraid of what I’d do. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    diceman24
    · 3 months ago
    hopefully pip benefit stays the same had paid into bank account not vouchers. also close all these big fat contracts like atos etc and let peoples local health service do them ie peoples gps that will save millions straight away and where is stephen timms on this matter 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Lesley
    · 3 months ago
    I am worried because if this voucher system for P.I.P. becomes policy then how long will it be before they change the current D.L.A. I am 76 and was born before 1948.  If they get away with changing P.I.P. to a voucher system then for sure they will start on D.L.A. and A.A. next. I think that they already tried with A.A. some years ago.  It was all going to be fobbed off to local government but it never happened. Let's hope these proposals for P.I.P. don't happen.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Barbara
    · 3 months ago
    I have a rollator and a rise and recline  chair and bed..being  paid for from my payments from pip.If pip stops ...how do I pay for them  I am 72  and only have pension  of they take  Pip money from me .So  I am very  worried  about  this
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jane
      · 3 months ago
      @Barbara Try not to worry. Even if they decide to go down that route it will take years. Originally they wanted everyone to got to UC by 2014, now they are talking 2026, that's how efficient they are!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Jeff
    · 3 months ago
    Every one is so worried about themselves anyone thought. About the people who supply their cars how many people will lose their jobs 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      lesley
      · 3 months ago
      @Jeff
      Yes, Jeff I did think about this. How are they going to manage?
      We will all have to march, on our sticks, in our wheelchairs, with our rollators, any way we can get out there!
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Tina EDWARDS
    · 3 months ago
    I don't want to see a change in pip.most of us need money to help with our needs.everyone is different so you can't just give vouchers etc to everyone.im sick of conservatives destroying our country and taking away our rights,not caring about disabled people.let Labour do the right thing and leave pip as it is.just depression and anxiety should change.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      kellie
      · 3 months ago
      @Tina EDWARDS Explain why you think anxiety and depression should change ? I suffer with major depression and generalized anxiety disorder which means  I can't leave my house alone and very rarely supervised. Being at home 24/7 means more electricity more gas and I also have to pay for someone to do errands and petrol costs for someone to do my shopping. My depression can get me down for days on end where I can't even muster the energy physically and emotionally to turn on a kettle or oven let alone cook this adds costs to food as ready meals and snacks are always more expensive or takeaway if I'm really depressed. Then there's the cost of transport to and from medical appointments and to collect prescriptions and petrol to my weekly therapy sessions just because you can't see my disability doesn't mean it's not as debilitating as yours I find it disgusting that people these days still have this frame of mind and it's mostly the government who puts these doubts and shameful thoughts into the public's heads 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      TheDogmother
      · 3 months ago
      @Paul I understand the fact you can't leave your home, I can only manage once or twice a month and never alone. My mobility issues mean I have to use a rollator and I fall frequently.  I had a nasty fall last week indoors, I've knocked teeth out, broken my wrist,  knuckles, blackened my face and hands numerous times. Had cuts and injured my bad knees. This makes me very reluctant to want to go out ,on top of the MH challenges of meeting ppl and having them in close proximity to me in shops. I can't even walk my beloved dogs , well, now single dog. My lovely adult nephew does it between shift work. A very odd occasion I take my lovely boy out for a short slow walk and it's my greatest delight. We go early morning when it's quiet.Thats my only joy right there. 
      Life's difficult enough for us and it's seems the worry of losing the very thing we depend on to keep us going to a voucher system only adds to our woes. I just hope sense prevails.It isn't like we are living the lives of international rock stars.  It's a matter of well being.  Best wishes. X
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      TheDogmother
      · 3 months ago
      @Paul Had depression anxiety and panic attacks since I was 7. Losing my grandmother triggered them. I know now that's what it was.With other factors subsequently, Living in a state of anxiety is no joke. Nobody sees all the facets of it ,esp when your alone, it's not the down and bluesy venomous  rhetoric we've had to listen to, from a privileged moron who wouldn't understand MH suffering if it hit him squarely in the face. 
      It's the sudden dry mouth,the choking, the overwhelming churning panic that wells up suddenly and sets you into a fight or flight mode.The collapse and utter helplessness, dark thoughts and driving fear along with hopelessness and wanting not to be here anymore, to stop the scary thoughts that invade your mind.
      The fact that your physical health conditions are suffering with the added MH on top because it all has a knock on effect. 
      Yeah let's shun and belittle those who can't cope with fear of what's may come or what has been. 
      Simply because people think their fears are unfounded and not real.
      Walk a day on our shoes... I dare you. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      D
      · 3 months ago
      @Paul yea exactly i have severe anxiety and cannot leave my home without someone with me and not to mention the intense physical symptoms , sick of people thinking anxiety is just a minor problem it is severly disabling when you cant even be independant and have to wait months for any sort of help from the nhs 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Dan Walker
      · 3 months ago
      @Tina EDWARDS It was the conservatives who designed and bought in PIP!!!! People don’t realise these things! Labour will ruin our country!! They’ve already lied to us on many things!! 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Proudy
    · 3 months ago
    2 years ago I had my own insulation business and was doing well. Even through covid we thrived however I became sick, multiple organ failure that kept me in hospital 2 months.  I've now no longer can work and relay on PIP and UC to survive. I hate living payment to payment but all I can do at this time.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Annie
    · 3 months ago
    I'm on pips with severe osteoarthritis of both knees feet  spine and hip  I've recently had my left knee replacement 9 weeks ago and still in recovery. I left hospital with 2 toilet frames and crutches  I can't do any adaptation s to my home as it's private rented so vouchers will be no good for me. I put my pips towards gas electric. Taxi fares to hospital and any extra food etc.   I don't think the vouchers would help to cover any of the above. It's a joke really  I understand that there may be people who are taking the p--s and don't want to work it's them they should target not genuine people who have alot of ailments and can't work.  That's just my opinion .
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Hannah Richardson
    · 3 months ago
    To me the government must help the disabled people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters or crutches. There are young people who suffer with complex needs who needs additional help. What the government should really do is listen and help, not to give a negative attitude and think that the disabled people are burdens. Give the disabled people the benefits of money that they deserve. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Annoymous
      · 3 months ago
      @Hannah Richardson My son has learning difficulties adhd and sensory prossesing disorder and cant go out by himself he is at college but i have to walk him there then get his lunch and then walk home with him vouchers are not going to help him if pip changes 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Brian Marriott
    · 3 months ago
    We all’s pip money not vouchers voucher will not pay for kobiltyvscotor or cars 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bud
    · 3 months ago
    Whatever happens it won’t be done immediately, & they can’t come for us all at once.  
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Seb
      · 3 months ago
      @Bud Exactly, people need to come down. Such a overall will most unlikely happen. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      lesley
      · 3 months ago
      @Bud
      You are right Bud, thought about this and discussed it with a friend.  There are millions of us, it will take them years to get through all the claimants.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Kernowmaid
    · 3 months ago
    All this is going to do is push more and more ppl to more of a breaking point than what we're already at, will the government be accountable for the major spike in suicides? No as they don't care what damage it'll cause ppl like myself. How is vouchers etc supposed to help with keeping warm when we suffer with bad circulation? How is it meant to help us get to hospital appointments? How is it going to help with extra water that we need? There's so many questions but no one will give a proper answer it's just another ploy for the government to say "oh it seems to have helped because there's x amount of ppl less claiming benefits " yes and why? It's because x amount of ppl would have killed themselves 

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