PIP Changes: Impact on Carer’s Allowance
Debate between Stephen Timms and Siân Berry(1 week, 2 days ago)
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Sir Stephen Timms
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for bringing his experience to this debate. I can absolutely give him the reassurance he seeks.
Siân Berry (Brighton Pavilion) (Green)
Earlier in the week, I wrote to the Secretary of State, asking her to confirm that the plans would not go ahead if the proposals were assessed as being harmful to disabled people. The equality analysis says that the families who will lose out are estimated to represent 20% of all families who report having someone with a disability in the household. Given that PIP is not related to work, and that the money cannot be made up through work changes, does the Minister agree that proceeding is not acceptable when there is this level of harm?
Sir Stephen Timms
The assessment published yesterday is that 90% of those receiving the daily living PIP component will continue to receive that benefit after the changes take effect, so I think the concern that the hon. Lady raises is not entirely appropriate.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Stephen Timms and Siân Berry(2 weeks, 5 days ago)
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Sir Stephen Timms
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We are determined to provide proper support, which existed in the past, but disappeared after 2010. We want to provide that support again because so many people would thrive if they had it. At the moment there are 200,000 people out of work on health and disability grounds who would love to be in a job if they just had the support. We will provide it.
Siân Berry (Brighton Pavilion) (Green)
For weeks, the Government’s active trailing of welfare cuts has generated genuine fear. Disabled people in Brighton Pavilion are writing to me in terror. Will the Secretary of State apologise for this and reassure the public that benefit changes will not take place this calendar year or without parliamentary votes in this House?
Sir Stephen Timms
First, I recognise that there has been a good deal of anxiety, and I regret that. But there will not be long to wait. The proposals will soon become clear. The hon. Lady will welcome a great deal of the changes that we want to make.