We will have to wait for the publication of the Green Paper later today for full details of changes to personal Independence payment (PIP) and Universal Credit (UC).
But here are some of the main points of the speech.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- No vouchers
- No means-test
- No freeze.
But, from November 2026, claimants will need to score at least 4 points from a single descriptor to qualify for the daily living component of PIP, as well as scoring a total of at least 8 points..
So, if you select 4 descriptors scoring two points each, that will be 8 points, but it will not qualify for an award.
But if you select one descriptor scoring 4 points and two descriptors scoring 2 points, that will be 8 points and you will qualify for an award.
There will also be review of the PIP assessment system led by disability minister Stephen Timms.
PIP existing claimants
The DWP says it "will work with Department of Health and Social Care to ensure that existing people who claim PIP who may no longer be entitled to the benefit following an award review under new eligibility rules have their health and eligible care needs met. The government is consulting on how best to achieve this."
This suggests that existing claimants will be subject to the new rules when their award is reviewed, if the review takes place from November 2026 onwards..
Work Capability Assessment (WCA)
The WCA is to be scrapped in 2028 and a new single assessment system introduced. Under the new system, any extra financial support for health conditions (including PIP, ESA or UC health) will be assessed via a new single assessment which will be based on the PIP assessment – considering on the impact of disability on daily living, not on capacity to work.
There will be an increase in Face-to-Face Assessments for PIP and the WCA.
Reintroduce reassessments for incapacity benefits, with exceptions for those who will never work and those under special rules for end-of-life care. Reassessments have largely been switched off since 2021.
A "Right To Try Guarantee" will be introduced which will guarantee that attempting work will never lead to a benefits reassessment.
Universal Credit (UC)
From April 2026, Labour will hold the value of the universal credit health top-up fixed in cash terms for existing claimants, and reduce it for new claimants, with an additional premium for people with severe lifelong condition
The Standard Allowance will be raised above inflation by 2029/30, adding £775 annually in cash terms for a single person aged over 25.
Access to the health element of Universal Credit will be delayed until a claimant is aged 22.
Existing claimants. The DWP say “Those currently in receipt of UC health will benefit from the increased standard allowance and will not be affected by plans to reduce UC health in future.”
Assessments
People with the most severe disabilities or with health conditions that will never improve will never be reassessed.
When
The DWP say they will bring forward primary legislation this session to enable delivery of the PIP additional eligibility requirement and UC rebalancing reforms from 26/27.
The Right to Work Guarantee will be delivered through separate primary legislation which will be introduced “in due course”.
Savings
The DWP say the changes are expected to save over £5 billion in 2029 to 2030.
Links
The Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper.
