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THERE ARE GROWING FEARS OVER THE WIDE-RANGING IMPACT OF LABOUR'S PIP REFORMS 16:06, 29 May 2025Updated 19:30, 29 May 2025 The Department for Work and Pensions has issued a new update to

PIP claimants and MPs who are concerned about the wide-ranging effects of Labour's benefit reforms. Changes in the Pathways to Work Green Paper mean people need to get at least one

score of four in the daily living activities that are assessed. This will affect all new applicants after November 2026, as well as existing claimants whose award is up for review after that

date. It's projected that 370,000 people receiving PIP at that point will lose their PIP daily living element by 2029/2030, while another 430,000 future applicants won't qualify

for this part of the benefit. READ MORE: Article continues below MP Sarah Gibson (Liberal Democrat, Chippenham) asked the DWP about the potential impact of the PIP eligibility changes on

other benefits such as the Blue Badge scheme, which helps people with disabilities park nearer to their destination. In a written response, Sir Stephen Timms, DWP Minister for Social

Security and Disability, confirmed: "Changes to the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will not have an impact on Blue Badge holders as no changes are being

made to the mobility component of PIP." People automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if they are registered blind or receive one of the following: * The higher rate of the mobility

component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) * Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because they can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the moving around activity

of the mobility component) * War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement * A lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have

been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking * The mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10

points specifically for descriptor E under the 'planning and following journeys' activity, on the grounds they are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause

overwhelming psychological distress Speaking more broadly on the reforms, Sir Stephen said: "There will be no immediate changes. Changes to PIP eligibility and rebalancing of Universal

Credit aren't coming into effect immediately. "Our intention is these changes will start to come into effect from April 2026 for UC and November 2026 for PIP, subject to

parliamentary approval. "PIP changes will only apply at the next award review after November 2026. The average award review period is about three years. At the award review, claimants

will be seen by a trained assessor or healthcare professional and assessed on individual needs and circumstances. "We are consulting on how best to support those who are affected by the

new eligibility changes, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met. PIP is not based on condition diagnosis but on functional disability as the result of one or more

conditions, and is awarded as a contribution to the additional costs which result. "We also intend to launch a wider review of the PIP assessment, which I will lead, and we will bring

together a range of experts, stakeholders and people with lived experience to consider how best to do this and to start the process as part of preparing for a review. We will provide further

details as plans progress." There are also worries about the knock-on effects on Carer's Allowance, which is awarded to those looking after a partner, relative, friend or

neighbour who is on a disability benefit such as PIP's daily living element. Figures suggest 150,000 people will no longer be entitled to claim Carer's Allowance as a result of the

PIP cuts. WHAT ARE THE PIP ELEMENTS AND HOW MUCH ARE THEY WORTH? PIP awards are based on a weekly rate but paid into accounts every four weeks. The daily living and mobility elements have

standard and enhanced rates of payment. Here are all four different payment amounts for the 2025/2026 financial year. People can get any one of these, or a combination of one daily living

element and one mobility element. 1. STANDARD DAILY LIVING ELEMENT Payment rate: £73.90 Monthly amount (every four weeks): £295.60 Annual amount (based on 52 weeks): £3,842.80 2. ENHANCED

DAILY LIVING ELEMENT Payment rate: £110.40 Monthly amount (every four weeks): £441.60 Annual amount (based on 52 weeks): £5,740.80 3. STANDARD MOBILITY ELEMENT Payment rate: £29.20 Monthly

amount (every four weeks): £116.80 Annual amount (based on 52 weeks): £1,518.40 4. ENHANCED MOBILITY ELEMENT Payment rate: £77.05 Monthly amount (every four weeks): £308.20 Article continues

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