**DWP to Announce Strict Timeline for Ending PIP Payments Under Major Welfare shake-up**
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to clarify when Personal Independence Payment (PIP) recipients who no longer meet eligibility criteria will lose financial support, amid sweeping changes to the welfare system. Details of the transitional arrangements are anticipated to be included in the Welfare Reform Bill, which ministers are expected to present this week in Parliament.
Current plans indicate that claimants who lose their entitlement to PIP under the proposed reforms will continue to receive payments for a 13-week transition period before the benefit is cut off. This marks a shift from the previously expected four-week notice, a change which has not entirely satisfied campaigners or some cross-party MPs. During this extension, those on Carer’s Allowance linked to a PIP recipient will see their support continue but face automatic cessation when the relevant PIP payment ends.
Dr Simon Opher, a general practitioner and MP for Stroud, raised the issue during a recent appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He voiced intentions to vote against his party, expressing disappointment over what he described as insufficient protection for disabled people losing support. “This is only a slight delay – 13 weeks rather than four – so it’s hardly any consolation,” he told listeners. He went on to stress that, though the transition period is better than nothing, it does not address the underlying impact of such widespread cuts.
The announcement forms part of an attempt by the government to rein in the escalating cost of working-age disability and sickness benefits. Presently, PIP provides crucial assistance to approximately 3.7 million people in Britain, with the government forecasting the figure could rise to 4 million by the decade’s end. The move comes amid considerable criticism from within Labour ranks: last month, dozens of Labour MPs pressed Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reconsider the changes, highlighting that the proposed cuts were “impossible to support”.
Despite internal debates and concerns being shared, Dr Opher stood firm in his position, insisting he could not support the current proposals. He urged ministers to re-examine aspects of the bill, revealing he was not alone in planning to defy the party whip on this issue. “It’s a difficult decision for me; I’ve never previously voted against the government. But some of my colleagues are in the same situation. I appeal to ministers to revisit parts of this bill,” he said.
DWP minister Liz Kendall sought to reassure those affected, emphasising that the most vulnerable would be protected. “When we set out our reforms, we promised to protect those most in need, especially people who will never be able to work,” she told The Guardian. She added that additional protections would be enshrined in law, conveying a message that the principles underpinning these safeguards were non-negotiable.
Financial sustainability has been presented as a central justification for the controversial reforms. The government projects savings of £5 billion annually by 2030 if the measures are introduced, arguing that reforms are necessary to “future-proof” the welfare system for those with the highest needs. Yet, an impact analysis released alongside the legislative package suggested as many as 250,000 individuals—including 50,000 children—across England, Wales, and Scotland face the risk of falling into relative poverty after housing costs due to these changes.
The reforms are extensive, including proposals to end repeat reassessments for people with lifelong or progressive conditions who are unlikely ever to be able to work. Additionally, the contentious Work Capability Assessment is set to be abolished, fulfilling a previous manifesto pledge and promising new forms of tailored support for those on health or disability benefits. The government also intends to legislate for protections to prevent people with health conditions or disabilities from being penalised if they take up employment opportunities.
Other draft policies under consultation include limiting PIP eligibility to those with the highest needs, raising the threshold for daily living support, and rebalancing Universal Credit payments to enhance the standard allowance. A further proposal would delay access to the health component of Universal Credit until age 22, with the resulting savings intended for youth work and training schemes.
As part of the legislative process, the DWP has opened an extensive online consultation, inviting the public and interested parties to share their views on the changes. This consultation runs until 30 June 2025, with full participation details available on the official government website (GOV.UK).
These measures look set to profoundly affect millions of people with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Both the government and critics agree that change is needed to keep the welfare system sustainable, but the debate continues over how best to achieve this while ensuring dignity and support for those most in need. The next few weeks in Parliament are likely to see fierce discussion as campaigners, opposition MPs, and affected citizens make their voices heard.