A revised document issued by the DWP today confirms that current personal independence payment (PIP) claimants will be covered by the Timms review. It also states that PIP spending cannot exceed current projections, whatever changes are made.
The Timms review terms of reference have been updated and reissued today, removing all reference to the PIP 4 point system which Labour tried to impose before backing down in the face of a backbench revolt.
However, a number of other changes have been quietly made to the document.
Probably the most important is the addition of a single bullet point to the ‘Principles’ section, which now states:
“the Review will consider how recommendations might be applied to reassessments for people already claiming PIP to ensure it is fair and fit for both new and existing claimants”
The original document made no reference to current claimants, leading some commentators to suggest that the Timms review would only affect new claimants.
However, this additional clause makes it clear that the review will at least consider how any proposed changes could apply to existing claimants when their award is reassessed, though it leaves open the possibility that ultimately some changes may only apply to new claims.
In addition, a change has been made to another bullet point in the same section. This originally read:
“the purpose of the Review is to ensure that PIP is fair and fit for the future rather than to generate proposals for further savings.”
However, an additional sentence has now been added stating:
“However, the sustainability of the system is an important consideration and so the Review will operate within the OBR’s projections for future PIP expenditure, to ensure it is there to support generations to come”
In other words, whilst cuts to future PIP spending are not being ruled out, under no circumstances will there be an increase in overall PIP spending.
The steering committee will need to push hard to ensure there is no reduction in projected PIP spending under any new plans.
It will, however, be vital that there is an independent assessment of the cost of any proposed changes, rather than leaving the DWP to come up with their own projections which may deliberately exaggerate how much changes will cost.
And clearly, the concern now is that even if the final bill remains the same, any changes will mean there will be winners and losers amongst individual claimants.
