Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit

Baroness Spielman Excerpts

Monday 2nd November 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Spielman]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what recent assessment they have made of trends in the level of people claiming Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Sherlock) (Lab)]

My Lords, this Government are concerned about levels of economic inactivity in our society. It is crucial that our social security system supports and incentivises work. This Government will transform the system from one that writes people off to one that gives people the support and opportunities to live their fullest lives. That means supporting those who can work to do so while always protecting those with the most severe needs.

[Baroness Spielman (Con)]

My Lords, if the Minister agrees that work is the best route out of welfare dependency, why did the Budget contain no measures that the OBR judged would have a material effect on employment?

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab)]

My Lords, the Question was about levels of PIP and universal credit, both of which were creations of the previous Conservative Government, under which levels of inactivity went through the roof. The Opposition want to look at what we have done; we have already taken steps to reform the system. We have rebalanced universal credit to reduce the gap between the standard rate and the health-related rate. We have invested in the right to try, given out employment support and launched the biggest crackdown on fraud and error in the social security system. This month, reports will come from the Timms and Milburn reviews and, after that, the Government will show how this system can be created into one that supports work and pushes forward. I urge the noble Baroness to watch this space.