'Confusion' over DWP plans to replace PIP cash payments with vouchers

Scope has called on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to confirm whether it is continuing to look at "concerning" proposals

There is a "growing confusion" over plans to replace Personal Independence Payments with vouchers by the Department for Work and Pensions, it has been claimed. Disability charity Scope has called on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to confirm whether it is continuing to look at "concerning" proposals that could see disability benefits and cash payments replaced with vouchers or one-off grants.

On 14 October, disability minister Stephen Timms hinted the proposed measures, which were initially mulled over by the Conservative Party before Labour beat them at the polls at the July General Election earlier this year, had been dropped.

Timms said in response to a parliamentary question: “We do not intend to publish a response to the previous government’s consultation. We will be considering our own plans for social security in due course and will fulfil our continued commitment to work with disabled people so that their views and voices are at the heart of all that we do.”

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However, on Thursday, a spokesperson for the DWP said it is "now considering the responses to the consultation," according to Scope. In a thread on X, the charity said it was urgently calling for clarification as it believes that "many of the proposals" in the consultation "are dangerous."

"The consultation alone has caused months of anxiety and uncertainty for disabled people and their families," it wrote. "We have consistently called on the new government to provide clarity on its plans for PIP, and wider benefits reform," it wrote.

"But its quotes and statements over the past two days have only created more confusion." It added: "Is the consultation being scrapped? Are you still considering vouchers for PIP? After months of limbo, disabled people are entitled to a straight answer."

James Taylor from Scope told Yahoo News: “It’s concerning that the DWP have said they are still considering responses to the previous government’s consultation on PIP. Three days ago they said they were not going to respond to this consultation.

"Disabled people desperately need clarity and for the government to clear up any confusion. The government now need to come forward and confirm if the consultation is being scrapped, and if they are considering vouchers for PIP.”