Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill

Lindsay Hoyle Excerpts

2nd reading
Tuesday 1st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Relevant documents: Oral evidence taken before the Work and Pensions Committee on 25 June, 7 May and 22 April, on Get Britain Working: Pathways to Work, HC 837; written evidence to the Work and Pensions Committee, on Get Britain Working: Pathways to Work, reported to the House on 25 June, 18 June, 11 June, 4 June, 21 May, 14 May, 7 May and 30 April, HC 837; correspondence between the Work and Pensions Committee and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on the Pathways to Work Green Paper, reported to the House on 11 June and 21 May.]

[Mr Speaker]

The reasoned amendment in the name of Rachael Maskell has been selected.

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[Liz Kendall]

I gently remind the right hon. Lady that her own party had different rules and different rates for people on existing benefits compared with those on new benefits. That is something the Conservatives did—once again Conservative Members seem to be railing at the very problems that they caused.

I understand why many Members would like to see the results from the Timms review implemented before the four-point change takes effect. However, reviewing the assessment as a whole is a major undertaking that will take time to get right, especially if we co-produce it properly. It will be for those involved in the review to determine the precise timetable, but we are absolutely committed to moving quickly and completing the review by next autumn. I assure the House that any changes following the Timms review will be implemented as soon as is practically possible via primary or secondary legislation. Once we have implemented changes from the review, any existing PIP claimant can ask for a reassessment.

Let us be honest: welfare reform is never easy, especially perhaps for Labour Governments. Our social security system directly touches the lives of millions of people, and it is something that we all care deeply about. We have listened to concerns that have been raised to help us get the changes right. The Bill protects people who are already claiming PIP. It protects, in real terms, the incomes of people already receiving the UC health top-up from that benefit and their standard allowance. It protects those with severe lifelong conditions who will never work, and those near the end of their life, as we promised we would. But I have to tell the House that, unlike the previous Administration, this Government must not and will not duck the big challenges facing this country, because the people we are in politics to serve deserve so much better.

We are taking action to put the social security system on a sustainable footing so that it is there for generations to come. We are helping millions of low-income households across the country, by increasing the standard rate of universal credit. And because we know that there is no route to social justice based on increased benefit spending alone, we are providing record investment in employment support for sick and disabled people, so that they have the same rights and chances to work as anybody else. Our plans will create a fairer society in which people who can work get the help they need, and where we protect those who cannot—a society where the welfare safety net actually survives and is always there for those who need it. Above all, this Government are determined to give people hope that tomorrow will be better than today, with real opportunities for everyone to fulfil their potential and build a better life. I commend the Bill to the House.

[Mr Speaker]

I call the Leader of the Opposition.

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[Several hon. Members rose—]

[Mr Speaker]

I will call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson in a moment, but I will be imposing a six-minute limit after his speech.