DWP set to issue update on replacing PIP cash payments for vouchers

The proposals introduced by the Conservative Party have not been scrapped by the new Labour Party government.

The Department for Work and Pensions could issue a key update on replacing monthly Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cash payments for vouchers NEXT WEEK. The proposals introduced by the Conservative Party have not been scrapped by the new Labour Party government.

The next DWP questions session will take place in the House of Commons on Monday, October 7 and will be the first time the new ministerial team, led by Liz Kendall. The previous Conservative government's proposals included replacing cash PIP payments, which can amount to up to £737.20 every four weeks, with alternatives such as vouchers, one-off grants, a receipt-based system, or selecting support aids from a catalogue. These changes were part of an effort to trim £12bn from the annual welfare budget.

The public consultation on these plans concluded on July 22. The significant number of responses and the strong opposition from charities and organisations against the proposed voucher system could suggest a predominance of negative feedback within the consultation, something the new Labour administration would find difficult to disregard.

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Z2K's Chief Executive, Anela Anwar, who chaired the coalition, said: "The plans to restrict vital income and remove protections for those of us who become seriously ill or disabled in the future are misguided and dangerous. It was a relief that the previous government ran out of time before the election to implement the plans and we were hopeful that a new government would not take them forward."

"But we have heard nothing to date that has put our minds at ease." Furthermore, Ms Anwar stressed: "We urge the new Secretary of State to put scrapping the plans at the top of her to-do list. Instead of introducing ever tougher cuts and sanctions, the new government must look to remove the barriers to economic activity that are built into the social security system, through addressing the inadequacy and risk that currently characterise it."

"Seriously ill and disabled people should have the security we all need. The job starts now to make this a reality."