My Response and How You Can Have Your Say
The Government recently announced their Green Paper on welfare reform.
Green Papers are consultation documents designed to gather feedback from both Parliament and the public on proposed policies and legislation. I have been carefully reviewing these proposals. Given the complexity and depth of the proposals, I encourage you to read them in full here: https://tinyurl.com/PWTWproposals.
However, I want to address some of the key issues that many of you have raised with me and that have been widely discussed in the media.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
In Leeds Central and Headingley, 4,599 constituents currently receive PIP. At the time of the 2021 census, 17,033 people in Leeds Central and Headingley - 16% of my constituency - were classed as disabled. This means that only just over a quarter of disabled people in my constituency are claiming PIP.
In my constituency, the most common reason for claims is psychiatric illnesses, including anxiety and depression. The DWP also includes learning disabilities and autism in this category. Psychiatric illnesses account for 45% of claimants in my constituency, significantly higher than the national average of 38%.
Ensuring that our welfare system works for everyone who needs it is a top priority for me.
The Prime Minister is right to acknowledge the need for welfare reform, including changes to PIP. However, reform should not begin with cutting billions of pounds in support for society’s most vulnerable. Moving the goalposts for PIP eligibility will not help or encourage people into work.
PIP is a modest but vital payment designed to help with the added costs of living with a disability, covering essential daily activities and mobility. The Government’s proposal to cut PIP funding by £5 billion is not a strategy for employment—it is a direct reduction in support for disabled people, regardless of their ability to work. In fact, restricting financial help may make it even harder for those who can work to do so.
Limiting access to PIP will shift the burden onto already overstretched public services such as the NHS, social care, and local government—services that have already endured 14 years of austerity.
One of the most concerning aspects of the proposals is the plan to change PIP’s eligibility criteria by increasing the threshold.
Currently, PIP applicants are assessed on two areas: daily living and mobility, with the daily living element covering twelve activities, for example preparing food. To receive the lower rate of PIP, applicants need to score at least eight points in total across any of these activities. This means someone could qualify even if they scored, for example, two points in four of the activities.
Under the Government’s proposals, applicants would need to score at least four points in a single activity to qualify, as well as at least eight points in total across the range of activities.
Without a corresponding review of the assessment descriptors, this change could exclude many disabled people with significant needs. For instance, individuals who need home dialysis or need help with basic daily tasks such as washing and dressing could lose crucial financial support. A fair and comprehensive reassessment of eligibility criteria is essential. Since being elected I have always maintained that PIP assessments should be completed by someone who knows the person or their specific condition - a GP, Consultant or specialist.
Some aspects of the proposals are more welcome, including:
The introduction of recorded PIP assessments as standard.
An overhaul of safeguarding policies to improve training and ensure vulnerable people are protected.
Collaboration with disabled people and advocacy groups to improve the assessment process.
Ending repeated reassessments for people with lifelong, severe conditions.
No changes to the Mobility component
However, concerns do remain, including the increase in face-to-face assessments, which could place undue stress on claimants. I understand that there are mixed feelings about this, and have spoken to some applicants who feel positively about face-to-face assessments but many who feel it would add barriers to accessing PIP.
The proposals do suggest that we continue to meet the needs of people who are claiming, who may require a different method of assessment, however we must ensure that additional barriers are not created during this process.
The current system is already complex, with lengthy delays, inconsistent decision-making, and widespread distrust. Any reforms must address these systemic issues rather than worsening them.
Universal Credit and Work Capability Assessment
There are several key changes proposed to Universal Credit:
The standard allowance will be increased above inflation for the first time ever, equating to an annual rise of £775 for claimants by 2029/30.
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA), which decides eligibility for incapacity benefits, will be scrapped in 2028. This assessment has long been criticised for forcing people into rigid, binary categories—either “fit to work” or “unable to work”—without considering the complexities of fluctuating health conditions.
Instead, disability benefits assessments will rely solely on the PIP system. For those who are eligible for PIP this simplifies the process. However, for those who are not eligible for PIP but who are currently in the LCWRA group of Universal Credit, this means they could lose out on their Universal Credit top up.
However, the Government is considering how any change of this kind could affect individuals who currently meet limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) criteria due to conditions that are not expected to be lifelong. For example, those affected by cancer treatment, people with short term conditions that get better, women with a high-risk pregnancy and those currently classed as having substantial risk.
The Government is introducing measures to reassure claimants that trying to work will not automatically trigger a reassessment or loss of benefits. This is a key step in reducing the fear many disabled people have about re-entering employment.
A new premium will be introduced for claimants with severe, lifelong conditions that will not improve.
However, under the new rules, claimants under 22 will no longer be eligible for the incapacity benefit top-up within Universal Credit. This may create a two-tier system of disability support based on age and given that my constituency is one of the youngest in the UK with 41% of constituents in my constituency being aged 18-24, I am particularly concerned about this.
After 14 years of Conservative-led government, trust in the welfare system—particularly disability benefits—has been severely eroded. I understand why these proposals are being met with apprehension, and in some cases, fear. While some of the proposed changes could simplify the system, others risk making life even harder for those who rely on this support.
Have Your Say
I strongly encourage you to participate in the Government’s public consultation and share your views on these proposed changes. I understand there is concern about the limited scope of the questions, but you are able to raise further issues about any of the proposals via the email address provided.
Furthermore, as your representative, I want to hear directly from you so I have created a survey where you can highlight any specific challenges these changes may pose for you, your loved ones, or those you care for, and I can use this to lobby the Government on your behalf.
Government Consultation: https://tinyurl.com/PWTWconsultation
My constituency Survey: https://tinyurl.com/alexsobelsurvey
In addition to gathering feedback from constituents, I am actively engaging with benefits advisors, disability rights organisations, and other key stakeholders to understand their perspectives. Your input will be invaluable as I raise concerns with DWP Ministers.
There is no place in the UK for a welfare system that discriminates against the most vulnerable. I will continue to fight for a system that provides fair, compassionate, and effective support.