Edward Morello recently submitted four written questions on PIP reforms, but received identical responses from Minister for Social Security and Disabilities Sir Stephen Timms.
The Department for Work and Pensions is refusing to answer questions on whether Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cash could be replaced by vouchers. Liberal Democrats MP Edward Morello recently submitted four written questions on PIP reforms, but received identical responses from Minister for Social Security and Disabilities Sir Stephen Timms.
Labour Party MP Sir Stephen said: “This Government is committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people at the heart of all that we do. We are committed to reforming the system of health and disability benefits so that it promotes and enables employment among as many people as possible.
“The system must also work to support disabled people to live independently. It is also vital to ensure that the system is financially sustainable in the long term.” He said: “We are working to develop proposals for reform in the months ahead and will set them out in a Green Paper ahead of the Spring Statement later this year.”
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Morello reached out “to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of replacing Personal Independence Payment (PIP) cash payments with vouchers on claimants’ autonomy and financial management.”
His other questions included: “What steps her Department is taking to ensure that any proposed changes to PIP do not lead to financial hardship or reduced quality of life for recipients?” and “what steps her Department is taking to consult with disability advocacy groups on the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment, including any changes to payment methods.”
He also reached out in the Commons “to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment on disabled individuals’ ability to manage their financial independence.”