DWP reform plan to turn PIP into voucher a 'real concern', minister admits

The much-derided plans to turn the cash Personal Independence Payment (PIP) into a voucher-based system to buy equipment were raked over the coals in parliament this week, with the new head of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Liz Kendall MP, grilled over the public outroar.

At the first Work and Pensions Committee meeting under the new Labour administration, Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling questioned the Secretary of State on whether she would consider scrapping cash payments in favour of vouchers, a concept previously floated by the Tories. Liz Kendall provided a clear signal that removing the choice from disability benefit recipients regarding their spending was not on the agenda for welfare reform.

The DWP boss pointed out that the former government "didn't have a plan, they had a consultation" which garnered over 1,600 responses. Ms Kendall expressed that she was "very struck, particularly by the comments people made around shifting support to vouchers, where many organisations said their real concern was that it took away people's autonomy - particularly when services are so stretched and tight".

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The Daily Record reports she also noted that she had considered those remarks "very, very carefully" and affirmed that the Labour Government will introduce its own strategies to "reform sickness and disability benefits ", founded on solid principles of "getting the decision right first time, early intervention, genuine support to help people into work, helping people live full, fulfilling and independent lives".

However, she noted that it's "extremely difficult and I know people really want more detail, but we won't do that until we're absolutely ready and have had the proper discussions with people". Last month, Minister for Social Security and Disabilities Sir Stephen Timms confirmed the DWP does not plan to respond to the previous government's consultation on the matter, effectively putting the idea of replacing PIP cash with vouchers or grants on hold.

In a written response to Liberal Democrats Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain, Sir Stephen stated the DWP is instead "exploring potential changes to modernise the PIP service to improve claimants' experience and trust in our services and decisions". The previous Conservative government's Green Paper had proposed considering alternative models to support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, rather than relying solely on regular cash payments.