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Reports suggest PIP disability benefits freeze to be scrapped, eligibility criteria may be tightened

PorStaff

Mar 16, 2025
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall. Pic: PA

Reports suggest that proposals to freeze certain disability benefits are being scrapped following concerns raised by Labour politicians regarding the extent of planned welfare cuts.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions had been facing pressure to reduce the benefits expenditure and was anticipated to halt an inflation-linked increase to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

However, it is now rumored that these plans will be abandoned by Liz Kendall, despite Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasizing the need to «get a grip» on the welfare budget, citing that the current system is not effective for anyone.

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Welfare system ‘letting people down’

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Reforms to the welfare system are expected to be announced this week, ahead of the spring statement on 26 March.

Explainer: Where could welfare cuts be made?

Some MPs fear drastic cuts to support for the most vulnerable, but Ms Kendall may have attempted to partly address concerns from cabinet colleagues and Labour backbenchers about the scale of the reforms.

Almost four million working-age adults in England and Wales currently claim incapacity or disability benefits, up from 2.8 million before the pandemic.

It is being widely reported that instead of scrapping a rise in PIP, savings could be achieved by changing the eligibility criteria along with cutting the top rate of incapacity benefit.

Ms Kendall told The Sunday Times it was an «absolute principle» to protect welfare payments for people unable to work. «For those who absolutely cannot work, this is not about that,» she said.

She said the number of people on PIP is set to more than double this decade, partly driven by younger people.

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‘Government’s plan to cut welfare is terrifying’

«Increasingly, there is lots of clear evidence that work is good for mental health and physical health too… social security alone for many people will never be the key to a better life. It should be a springboard and not trapping people,» she told the newspaper.

Ms Kendall has revealed plans to give disabled people the right to try employment without the risk of losing their benefits.

The so-called «right to try guarantee» aims to prevent those people who receive health-related benefits from having their entitlements automatically re-assessed if they enter employment.

The Observer said the details are due to be announced as part of a green paper on Tuesday.

Read more from Sky News:
Welfare cuts could trigger backbench fight
Tough choices the chancellor has to make
Harriet Harman: Stop briefing against DWP

Research published in February by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) showed the number of 16 to 34 year-olds who are long-term sick with a mental health condition has reached 270,000, increasing by 60,000 (26%) in the last year alone.

Some on benefits ‘taking the mickey’

The figure for all working-age people is 790,000, an increase of 140,000 (22%) over the last year.

Responding at the time to those figures, Ms Kendall said some people on benefits were «taking the mickey».

«I have no doubt, as there always have been, there are people who shouldn’t be on those benefits who are taking the mickey and that is not good enough – we have to end that,» she told ITV News.

The same survey found 200,000 people receiving health-related or disability benefits were ready to work if the right job or support was available.

Welfare cuts are supported by the Conservatives, albeit the party has accused Labour of «dithering, delay and division» on the issue.

Meanwhile, the SNP argues any planned cuts to disability payments should be «abandoned», and disability charities have expressed a similar view.

Sky News’ Trevor Phillips will be looking at all the political headlines this week from 8.30am this morning. He will be joined by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, shadow education secretary Laura Trott and former national security adviser Lord Ricketts.

SOURCE

Por Staff

Every mobile phone in the UK will receive an emergency alert as the government tests the system nationwide. During this second test, approximately 87 million mobile devices will ring out unprompted. The test is scheduled to occur at 3pm on Sunday 7 September. Phones will vibrate and emit a loud siren sound for roughly 10 seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will appear on phone screens stating that it is only a test and no action needs to be taken. The test message is expected to say: «This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.» The government is conducting this test to ensure the system is functioning optimally and to familiarize the public with the alerts. Since the first national test in April 2023, the system has been used for real emergencies, including warnings about adverse weather events and the movement of unexploded bombs. Critics have raised concerns about the potential risks of these alerts, including distractions for drivers and the safety of domestic violence victims who may possess secret phones. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, emphasized the importance of this test as a crucial communication tool between the government and the public. All mobile phones will now be equipped to receive emergency alerts, including important information on when the alert will be sent and the content of the message. This feature will ensure that all individuals are promptly informed of any urgent situations and can take necessary actions to stay safe.
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Every mobile phone in the UK will receive an emergency alert as the government tests the system nationwide. During this second test, approximately 87 million mobile devices will ring out unprompted. The test is scheduled to occur at 3pm on Sunday 7 September. Phones will vibrate and emit a loud siren sound for roughly 10 seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will appear on phone screens stating that it is only a test and no action needs to be taken. The test message is expected to say: «This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.» The government is conducting this test to ensure the system is functioning optimally and to familiarize the public with the alerts. Since the first national test in April 2023, the system has been used for real emergencies, including warnings about adverse weather events and the movement of unexploded bombs. Critics have raised concerns about the potential risks of these alerts, including distractions for drivers and the safety of domestic violence victims who may possess secret phones. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, emphasized the importance of this test as a crucial communication tool between the government and the public. All mobile phones will now be equipped to receive emergency alerts, including important information on when the alert will be sent and the content of the message. This feature will ensure that all individuals are promptly informed of any urgent situations and can take necessary actions to stay safe.