What You Need to Know About the Government’s PIP Proposals
- Disability Assist
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 9
UPDATE 9th April 2025: The Government has released accessible formats of the Green Paper as well as details of their public consultation events, which take place both in-person and online. You can find those here.
Benefits and Work's website has an excellent "What You Can Do" page, which has comprehensive information on ways that you can make your voice heard.
UPDATE 1st April 2025: Please note that all responses to the consultation should be sent directly to the UK Government via the official consultation website or using the contact details on the consultation page. Disability Assist are unable to accept any responses and cannot complete the consultation on your behalf.
The Government’s "Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working" Green Paper has raised serious concerns amongst disabled people, particularly regarding potential changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Figures have emerged that suggest between 800,000 and 1.2 million people in the UK might be impacted by the potential changes. While the Government claims to be consulting on improvements, we believe these proposals would make life even harder for disabled people.
The Green Paper outlines plans to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. While we at Disability Assist agree that disabled people should be enabled to live with independence and supported to find work if it is suitable for the individual, we are deeply concerned about the impact of what has been proposed. These changes could lead to significant cuts, tighter eligibility criteria, and more barriers to accessing support. Many of us rely on PIP for essential help and to meet the additional costs that living life with a disability brings, yet these proposals fail to acknowledge just how vital this support is.
What Can You Do?
The news stories may be troubling but it is important to stress that no changes have been implemented yet. These are proposals at present which, if implemented, would not take effect until November 2026 and the Government has now opened a consultation to gather feedback. The consultation is an important way to make your voice heard and we strongly urge you to take part. As people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, we know better than anyone what kind of help we need and our experiences and views are crucial in telling the Government just how damaging these changes could be. Please click the link below to take part in the Government's consultation, which is open until 30th June 2025.
We believe the consultation does not ask the right questions and, as yet, is not as open and inclusive as it should be to hearing all perspectives. However, if disabled people do not respond, the Government may assume there is no opposition. That is why it is crucial to make your voice heard and challenge these damaging reforms before they become a reality.
It is also vital to contact your local MP to let them know how these proposals could affect you or your loved ones. MPs need to hear directly from the people these policies will impact. If they do not understand the reality, they cannot fight for the right support. You can find your MP’s contact details on the UK Parliament website.
Inclusion London have created a template that can help you when writing to your MP, whether as someone who will be directly affected by proposals or as an ally. You can find it on the Inclusion London website.
We Are Here to Support You
We understand how unsettling this situation is, and we want to reassure you that we are actively pushing back. We are raising our concerns directly with MPs, working with other disability organisations, and speaking out in the media on behalf of disabled people in Kent. We will continue to keep up to date with the situation and advocate for a fairer system that genuinely supports disabled people.
Our charity is available to support you. If you think you are eligible and would like help with a claim, our benefits service is available to all adults with a physical disability or disabling long-term health condition living in Kent and Medway. We are able to help you through the entire process, from filling in the forms to appeals and tribunals. Please click here and fill in our online form and one of the team will be in touch with you.
Ultimately, we need to challenge these changes and push for a benefits system that truly works for disabled people, not against us.
Other Resources
Several organisations have published excellent responses to the Government’s Green Paper and consultation. If you would like to read more, here are some useful resources:
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