Minister Defends Welfare Cuts as 1,000 People Daily Apply for Pip

A senior cabinet minister has stated that the number of people enrolling in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) is increasing at a rate equivalent to a city the size of Leicester each year. This comes as the government faces resistance from Labour MPs over plans to cut the disability benefit.

Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, mentioned on BBC Radio 4’s Today program that the government will continue engaging with people, following over 100 Labour MPs joining a Commons bid to halt PIP reforms.

PIP was introduced in 2013 by the coalition government to assist working-age individuals aged 16 and above with the additional expenses of living with a health condition or disability. It is accessible in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The Labour government aims to tighten PIP eligibility as part of broader changes to save £5bn annually. Over 100 Labour MPs have signed an amendment to the government’s welfare bill, opposing the reforms and calling for a pause.

McFadden emphasized the necessity for welfare system reforms, noting the significant increase in the number of individuals on long-term sickness and disability benefits. He highlighted that a thousand people daily enroll in PIP, equivalent to a city like Leicester, every year.

Rebel MPs seek to pass a reasoned amendment to halt the bill's progress, stating that the provisions lack formal consultation with disabled individuals or their carers. The amendment's selection by the speaker and support from opposition parties are crucial for its passage.

Ministers argue that altering or abandoning the welfare plans could disrupt Rachel Reeves's efforts to balance the country’s finances.

According to the source: The Guardian.