Welfare Reform - The Debate Rumbles On

09/01/2012

The proposed Welfare Reform Bill continues to make its way through the legislative process, whilst the debate over the positive and negative aspects of the changes rumbles on. 

October 2011 saw the Bill debated by the House of Lords Grand Committee which examined the bill line by line to discuss all aspects of the introduction of a streamlined benefit system, including a new personal independence payment (PIP), which would replace the existing disability living allowance.

Rising Disability Costs

Now, as the committee stage continues for the controversial Bill, various disability groups have spoken out against the new PIP, including leading disability charity, the Papworth Trust. 

Chief executive Adrian Baggs raised concerns that the planned changes risked leaving already vulnerable people further disadvantaged.  Adrian said: “Disabled people’s living costs are typically 25% higher than those of non-disabled people.

“For example, not all public transport is accessible.  This means some people have to use mobility cars or accessible taxis to be able to leave their home, which costs significantly more than non-accessible taxis.”

The charity said that it accepted that all areas of society were facing cutbacks but the introduction of the PIP would mean a 20% reduction in spending compared with DLA, which would leave very few recipients unaffected.

Move with the Times

Ministers claim that the reforms are long overdue, since the DLA has essentially remained unchanged for around 20 years whilst the role and aspirations of disabled people in society have changed radically. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions commented: “Disabled people who need support will get it.  However, we know that as well as millions of pounds in overpayments, lots of disabled people are being underpaid because of the inefficient DLA system.”