The DWP has launched an entirely bogus consultation on changes to personal independence payment (PIP) and universal credit (UC) by refusing to consult on almost everything that matters most to claimants.

The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper sets out proposed changes to PIP, including preventing anyone who does not score at least one 4 point or more descriptor from being eligible for the daily living component.

It also proposes to freeze the LCWRA (health) element of UC and abolish the WCA.

Non-consultation

Yet the list of things that the DWP is refusing to consult on, meaning there are no questions about them in the online consultation, includes:

  • Scrapping the WCA
  • Creating a single assessment for PIP and the UC health element
  • Freezing the health element of UC until 2029/30
  • Only awarding PIP daily living if you get at least one descriptor scoring 4 or more points
  • Restarting WCA reassessments until the WCA is scrapped

(You can find a full list of the issues the DWP will and won’t be consulting on at Annex A of the Green Paper).

Leading questions

Instead of asking for feedback on these vital issues, the consultation asks questions that make the assumption that participants accept that people should lose their PIP:

2. What support do you think we could provide for those who will lose their Personal Independence Payment entitlement as a result of a new additional requirement to score at least 4 points on one daily living activity?

3. How could we improve the experience of the health and care system for people who are claiming Personal Independence Payment who would lose entitlement?

Missing information

Vital information that would allow people to have an informed opinion even on questions like those above has been deliberately withheld from the Green Paper.

For example, the DWP knows precisely, or could make a very accurate estimate of, how many current claimants would lose their award on review if their condition remains unchanged and the new system is introduced.

It also knows what condition those claimants have: how many have physical conditions like arthritis, mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, neurodevelopmental issues like ASD or ADHD.

The DWP knows, but it’s not telling us.

Yet how can you properly answer questions like the ones above if you don’t know who is most likely to be affected?   

Benefits and Work has made a Freedom of Information request for these figures, but we suspect they will not be forthcoming.

The information may be included in the impact assessment due to be published on 26th March.

Otherwise, perhaps readers could ask their MPs or a friendly member of the House of Lords to ask for them?

Judicial review

In January of this year, the High Court found that a Conservative consultation on changes to the work capability assessment (WCA) was unlawful, meaning that the changes could not go ahead.

The judge held that the DWP had: failed to adequately explain the proposals; had failed to explain that the main purpose was to save money rather than to get claimants into work; had failed to provide sufficient time for the consultation.

At the time, many of us thought that this meant that the DWP under Labour would have to carry out an honest consultation on changes to PIP and UC.

Instead, the lesson that the DWP has learnt is not that it should be honest, but instead that it should just not consult on anything meaningful at all.

According to the House of Commons Library:

“In some cases, public bodies have a legal duty to carry out a consultation. There will be legal duty to consult where:

  • there is legislation which requires a consultation
  • a government department or public body has promised to consult
  • there is an established practice of consultation in similar cases
  • not consulting would lead to obvious unfairness (in exceptional cases)”

We would argue that there is a very definite ”established practice of consultation” in relation to major changes to disability and incapacity benefits and that the current exercise is an attempt to pass off a fake consultation as the real thing.

It was the Public Law Project which won the case against the DWP over the WCA consultation.  We very much hope that they will be able launch a similar judicial review over this Green Paper consultation.

Alternative consultation

In the meantime, we hope that a major charity or umbrella body with good standing amongst the public and MPs, such as the Disability Benefits Consortium, will launch an alternative consultation.

It doesn’t need to be long or complicated.  It just needs to ask the questions that the DWP is scared to ask, such as:

Do you agree that only people who score at least 4 points on one daily living activity should get an award of the PIP daily living component?

Do you agree that the WCA should be abolished and replaced with a single assessment for both PIP and the UC health element?

Whatever the results, they could be circulated to MPs and members of the House of Lords who wish to be properly informed before they vote on these issues.

However, time is very short.  The official consultation does not end until 30 June.  But because the DWP have chosen not to consult on major changes, such as the new PIP scoring system, they can introduce new legislation as soon as they wish.  They have stated that they intend to bring forward legislation in this session of parliament, which ends on 21 July, so it could be as early as May that we see the new provisions. 

This means that, even though the change to PIP scoring will not be put into effect until November 2026, the law enabling it could be firmly in place very much sooner.

Silencing voices

The Green paper consultation is so dishonest that we feel unable to recommend that people take part in the way we normally would, though we also know that the DWP may argue that lack of response means that most people do not object to the changes.

In the Green paper, the DWP claim that “We are committed to putting the views and voices of disabled people and people with health conditions at the heart of everything we do.”

In fact, this bogus consultation is entirely about silencing the voices of disabled people and people with health conditions.

The reality is that the DWP under Labour is proving to be even more dishonest and devious than it was under the Tories.

The Green Paper consultation is online here or you can read all the questions in the consultation here.

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  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Is there no way at all to overturn this government? Surely , a campaign from all our disability rights organisations would chase them away for good never ever to enter in office again ?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    It doesn’t make much sense either to max out with 12 for mobility minster said we don’t change mobility not worried about that 🙄 only to lose out on possible standard pip in the future don’t you think they would know how you all struggle to cope indoors.
    Honestly 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 3 hours ago
      @Tim Yes,because the motability scheme rakes in millions of pounds in new car sales, wouldn't want to rock that boat would they ??
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    A real issue for those who lose pip daily care component due to not having 4 points, they will also lose their unpaid (usually family) carer who relies on carers allowance to look after them as
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    The precious golden 4 points
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Is there anything that can be done to stop this happening? 

    Is there a revolt in the Labour Party about this blatant discrimination and villainising of the disabled, chronically ill or mentally ill? Or are they all rolling over for Starmer? 

    Do the lords have to pass it or is it just Parliament? 

    Can the high court block these changes? 

    Are disabilities or mental health charities fighting this for the people who they are meant to represent? 

    Sorry but my mind is in overdrive and I was wondering if anyone had any answers to these questions. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    (...) So, not only has the government bailed the banks out to the tune of £123.93bn, and at its peak had liabilities for the banking crisis of £1.2 trillion, but the value of its stakes in the biggest banks has plummeted and the interest it is receiving on the loans is relatively small. The interest collected is smaller than that the government pays on its debts, taken out to refinance the banks.

    From the Guardian
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    So if they are only going to go by a pip assessment does that mean having substantial risk wouldn't qualify you for anything? So they are getting rid of that but by stealth?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    I also noticed that the consultation didn't ask questions for some of the more 'important' issues and 'assumed' that no one would have anything to say about the loss of PIP and gatekeeping of UC (t

    The goal is to cost cut and is made evident throughout the paper, they are not interested in helping people at all. 

    While dressed in 'Frilly Frills', their proposal completely sprays over the Equality Act - in the most basic terms that 'not all disabilities are seen'. 

    This is looking like an exercise in seeing what they can get away with. 



  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Evil sociopaths
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    This is unfair. If you don’t score 4 points in 1 activity you loose the lot. Which also means you’ll loose the LCWRA and carers.  It’s hard enough getting 2 points and when you’re unable to stand safely to cook etc they say use a microwave which again means you’ll either drop the food or burn yourselves. This has to be stopped as with this loss of money what’s left?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 23 hours ago
      @S123 It's not just the practicalities of using the microwave.  It's that microwave meals are processed foods, often high in salt and fat.  Forcing people to eat them every day instead of regular meals is not going to help anyone - especially when you cut their money so much that they are only ever going to afford the cheapest.  Reducing income by £700 a month will result in ill health, more mental health issues, and, not doubt, tragedies.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    They are party of honesty and transparency ?

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    My pip review is currently underway I sent it back in nov24 will it get assessed with the new 4pts descriptor or the old system 

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 22 hours ago
      @DH The old system, this won't start till 2026 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 23 hours ago
      @DH I suspect it will be assessed under the old system. It is a long horrible drawn out wait for a decision, complete with fear and worry. 2024 for me saw the DWP reassess both my ESA and PIP claims, because I was made homeless. Still managed to convince them of my condition, although I believe they have short changed me on award and longevity. No regard for my vulnerability! So another few years of worrying about my ability to afford to live.
      Anyone out there able to offer me a job paying the cost of living wages, in exchange for no guarantee, that I will be able to fulfil work obligations? Oh and you will have to take in to account that I have no fixed address! Bless you
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @DH Old any changes not until  Nov 2026 possibly longer with legal challenges.
      Unless keep getting extensions on current award does this mean also that a mass award review will take place in Nov 2026 🙄
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @DH thats what i would like to know as well DH.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @DH Probably old
      I sent my review back in August 2024 Just received a letter to say award extended for a year maybe longer if not reviewed before then or much sooner if reviewed before.
      How long is a bit of string or probably do a crafty and new award will end Nov 2026 see below comment

      Think new descriptor rule does not come in to Nov 2026 possibly much longer with legal challenges after all it doesn’t make much sense from a disability sense to score 3 2 2 2 1 and not get pip obvious the person has disabilities in many areas 

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    . Looking at the Green Paper more critically:

    # A More Direct Analysis of the Green Paper Consultation

    The analysis makes several valid points that deserve more direct acknowledgment:

    ## The Consultation Is Fundamentally Flawed

    The Green Paper explicitly states it is "not consulting on" the most significant and controversial changes that will affect millions of disabled people, including:

    - Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment
    - Using PIP as the single assessment for all health-related benefits
    - The new 4-point minimum requirement for PIP daily living component
    - Rebalancing UC payments (reducing the health element by £47/week for new claimants)

    This approach effectively prevents disabled people from having any meaningful input on the changes that will most dramatically impact their lives. It's difficult to view this as anything other than a deliberate strategy to avoid opposition to these measures.

    ## Predetermined Outcomes

    The Green Paper presents major policy decisions as already finalized, with consultation limited to implementation details. This suggests the government has no genuine interest in whether disabled people believe these changes are appropriate or fair - the major decisions have already been made without their input.

    ## Accessibility Barriers

    Publishing the Green Paper without accessible versions ready does raise serious questions about the government's commitment to genuine engagement with disabled people. The fact that the 12-week consultation period only begins once accessible versions are available effectively creates a two-tier consultation system.

    ## Comparison with Previous Legal Challenge

    Given that the High Court already ruled a previous WCA consultation unlawful, the decision to avoid consultation on similar significant changes does appear calculated to prevent legal challenges. This approach seems designed to push through radical changes while limiting opportunities for scrutiny.

    The suggestion for an alternative consultation by disability organizations is reasonable given these circumstances. Such a consultation could provide the kind of meaningful engagement that the government's approach appears designed to avoid.

    In summary, the analysis makes legitimate criticisms of a consultation process that appears structured to limit rather than facilitate genuine input from those most affected by the proposed changes.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 9 hours ago
      @SLB SLB
      I'm using old terms here.. 

      You've missed out that LCRWA (support group, disability element top-up 
      On UC is going down! By £47 For new claimants and going up for those in the WRAG.
      And a cut to the UC personal allowance monthly payment for those in the support group and a increase for those in WRAG
      Etc.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 14 hours ago
      @SLB A lot will rely on people’s next PIP assessment. 
      And they plan to bring back face to face. 

      Support means a ‘support conversation’ from the job-centre. 

      No financial compensation. 
      There are hints at TP but nothing concrete or figures. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Stevefairc & sir/Madam with all due respect, this is not at all a consultation . The questions are meant to confuse the people
      Who fill these questions. I see it merely as a tick box exercise . Yes, and your point is so valid, there are no accessible forms and 20 questions  in a twisted format For many  people having fatigue as a common symptom, comes merely as a joke. Do they ever understand what we disabled people face ?
      Thank you 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Stevefairc I think more important that the previous consultation being ruled unlawful is that changes to PIP have been taken to court before, and won, and had to  be made right by the DWP.  In 2017, changes to PIP were overturned by the courts because they "discriminated to those with certain disabilities."  It could certainly be argued that the new rules would do the same.  The government might not be consulting on certain things, but that doesn't mean they will go ahead.  We can at least keep fingers crossed.  

      But the controversial elements that you list miss out the real bad one:  that if you lose your daily living PIP, you will also lose LCRWA element of UC when the WCA is scrapped at the end of the decade...because it will now be determined on whether you get daily living pip or not!  That could mean a total loss of around £700 a month in three or four year's time. 

      I'm not totally sure how the scrapping of WCA and the use of PIP to determine UC elements will work for current claimants.  Will everything change overnight?  Or just when PIP is reassessed?  If so, the people who start reassessment just before the changes to PIP next November are in a much better position than others - PIP assessment under the old rules, and the likelihood of keeping LCWRA element for a few extra years.   My own PIP ends in August 2027, so I might just get a reassessment started next year before the new rules...or I might trigger one myself.

      One thing in the green paper, though, is the suggestion of the possibility of a transitional protection for those that lose PIP and other benefits, and some kind of compensation or support for those who score 8 points or more but not 4 in one question.  Those are certainly key elements of the consultation, and I wonder if we will see some form of softening of the loss of PIP and UC scenario that I mentioned in the second paragraph. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Stevefairc I did say in earlier comments that this would, in effect, be a White Paper, rather than Green
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    The highest i score in any one activity at my last assessment was 3, I know the personal difficulties I have with these tasks and my life in general due to my arthritis. How can they get away with this? Is there anyway they can be held to account? 

    And let's face it they say they're going after fraud, it's just a scapegoat and will adversely affect genuine people whilst in all lightly hoods the few 'gaming the system' ask they say will continue to do so.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Government are doing it thinking noone will respond to consultation so they can pass it without being asked  it's everywhere that they won't give the impact report on how many people will be really affected  people should respond to green paper and Add extra things on what they want to say if they think their missing out things  the   more people that do it if goes back to high court the judge will read the response and see what's happened  .
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 4 hours ago
      @SLB Er yes it is…Degree from Oxford or Cambridge and doesn’t know it’s a cut!
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 1 days ago
      @Lill Kendall has confirmed the impact report is coming out next week.  From the Independent:

      As part of its reforms, the Government also said it will invest an additional £1 billion a year by 2029/2030 to help support people into work including through one-to-one help.

      But the planned changes have been met with anger from Labour MPs, unions and charities.

      Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, chairwoman of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee, suggested “there are alternative, more compassionate ways to balance the books rather than on the back of sick and disabled people”.

      Ms Kendall, confirming that impact assessments on the changes will be published alongside the spring statement next week, insisted that spending on working-age sickness and disability benefits “will continue to rise over this parliament”.

      She told MPs: “The last forecast was that it would continue to rise by £18 billion. It is not a cut.”
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Interesting take 
    Thank you 
    It is entirely unfair that they are not consulting on the issues that matter most 
    They are targeting PIP to make it harder and 1000s could potentially lose out. What worries me especially is needing to have 4 in one category when those with lower scores across a wide range of categories may then not qualify. PIP replaced DLA. It feels like they are discriminating against those of us with “less severe” disabilities. Everyone deserves support. I hope for legal challenges and alternative consultation. And hope that MPs can push against this 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago

    The paper states: "The consultation will close 12 weeks after the point at which the accessible versions of this Green Paper are available." This acknowledgment that accessible versions weren't ready at publication could potentially raise issues about the adequacy of consultation with disabled people.?

    DISABLED LIVES MATTER 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    The key issue that the newspapers and media in general are seemingly not noticing is that those who lose their PIP through the eligibility rules changing will ALSO lose the LCWRA element of UC by the end of the decade.  That's because the WCA is being scrapped, and eligibily for LCWRA will be determined by whether people having Daily Living PIP or not.  Quite why mobility PIP doesn't count to prove that you are ill or disabled is anybody's guess.  Either way, that's a loss for many of over £700 a month.  Depending on what rate of PIP you had, that's a loss of between £8000 and 10,000 per year.  Spead the word.
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 8 hours ago
      @Arthritic Annie Section 54 says for new people claiming so hopefully this gives protection to those in support group of esa(c) that don’t qualify for incomes based UC. Needs clarification 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 12 hours ago
      @SLB Hi, would scoring 12 on mobility still qualify you for mobility part of pip or would you lose that too if you failed to get the individual 4 in the daily living component. Thank you for any reply, so confused xx
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 12 hours ago
      @SLB Hi, i wonder if you could help me with my thoughts. If you have to score 4 points in the daily living component  but you may not after the changes (who knows) but you get 12 points on mobility, would you still get the mobility part of pip or would that be denied due to not getting 4 in the daily living. Sorry, it’s all very confusing to me. Tia x
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 14 hours ago
      @Chocolady Google: DWP Pathways to Work

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 14 hours ago
      @MB8 The New benefit will have a time limit. Once that time is up, and if you don’t get DL PIP, you will lose your Support element. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    They are a disgrace to put it mildly. Can they get away with this?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      · 23 hours ago
      @Angela Doesn't it have to be approved by parliament first? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    · 1 days ago
    Thank you Benefits and Work team.

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