Debbie Abrahams, chair of the Commons Work and Pensions Committee, has said that the idea of replacing personal independence payment (PIP) with vouchers is “nonsense” and will not happen.
In an interview with the Mirror at the end of December, Abrahams said that Stephen Timms, disability minister at the DWP, had already ruled out a voucher scheme. However, whilst he might have given such assurances in private to Abrahams, there is no record of him having done so publicly.
Abrahams went on to tell the Mirror that “"I think it's nonsense and I cannot see that happen. It is suggesting that it's ok for disabled people to be provided with a voucher instead of money - as though they aren't responsible with their money."
When asked if the idea of vouchers was insulting to disabled people, Abrahams responded "Absolutely. This is how confident I am that it won't happen."
Details of what plans Labour has for the future of disability benefits will not be revealed until a Green Paper is published in the Spring.
