A crucial vote on contentious welfare reforms is scheduled for today following Labour’s announcement of significant compromises to prevent a rebellion from its MPs. 126 party MPs had backed an amendment to stop the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, set for its first House of Commons challenge later today. The initial proposal aimed to tighten eligibility criteria for the disability benefit PIP and restrict the sickness-related aspect of universal credit. Existing claimants were to receive a 13-week protection period, but Labour has now made additional concessions to secure support for the bill.
PIP serves as the primary disability benefit for working-age individuals in the UK, offering assistance to those requiring support with daily tasks due to health conditions or disabilities. Eligibility for PIP is determined by its impact on daily life, encompassing both the daily living and mobility components. Applicants undergo assessments based on a points system to assess qualification for either or both components. The evaluation can be conducted in-person, via phone, or through video calls, with successful claims receiving PIP for a specified duration before reassessment.
PIP awards range from a minimum of nine months to an “on-going” award reviewed every ten years, or three years for terminally ill individuals. Assessments involve simple movements or cognitive tests to assign points for daily living and mobility needs. Scoring between eight and 11 points qualifies for the standard rate, while 12 points or more lead to higher rates. Notably, terminally ill claimants are exempt from medical assessments for PIP.
Recently, Labour proposed tightening PIP eligibility requirements and reviewing the assessment process. The potential changes would mandate a minimum of four points in at least one activity to qualify for the daily living segment of PIP starting November 2026. Unlike the current system where lower scores across various tasks are considered, claimants would need to demonstrate greater difficulty in tasks like washing, eating, and dressing to qualify for PIP. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has agreed to apply the changes only to new PIP claims from November 2026, leaving the mobility component unaffected for both new and existing claimants.
The weekly rates for PIP are £73.90 or £110.40 for the daily living component and £29.20 or £77.05 for the mobility component. Payments are disbursed every four weeks, with maximum rates resulting in £749.80 every four weeks for recipients.