DWP new PIP update over proposals to switch cash payments for vouchers

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has admitted feedback on proposed alterations to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), put forward in a recent consultation, has been "mixed". And they said some of the responses were "consistently negative".

The latest statistics from the DWP indicate that PIP claims have reached a record level, with upwards of 3.6 million individuals across Great Britain now receiving monthly financial assistance of up to £737.20. The SNP's Chris Law posed a question to the DWP regarding whether the UK Government intends to carry out proposals from the 'Modernising support for independent living: the health and disability green paper', introduced by the previous Conservative administration in April.

The consultation that followed suggested several welfare changes, including replacing direct cash PIP payments with alternatives such as vouchers, one-time grants, a system based on receipts, or selecting support aids from a catalogue. Additional suggestions put forward were to modify PIP eligibility criteria, overhaul the assessment procedure, and shift PIP-related expenses to the NHS and local councils.

In a written response to the MP for Dundee Central earlier this week, the Minister for Social Security and Disabilities, Sir Stephen Timms MP, said that over 16,000 responses were collected during the 12-week consultation period, which concluded on July 22. He went on to say: "This demonstrates the depth of feeling about the previous Government's proposals.

"I thank the British public, as well as the numerous charities and organisations who responded on behalf of their members, for the time and effort taken to share their thoughts and views.", reports the Daily Record. "Whilst engaging with