PIP And Carer's Allowance Changes The Bench Report podcast

14d ago 11:38

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Join us as we unpack a crucial House of Commons debate on the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and their potential impact on Carer’s Allowance.

The Minister of State, Stephen Timms, outlines the government's plan to reform PIP through the "Pathways to Work" Green Paper, aiming to create a more sustainable system focused on those with the greatest need. He states the cost of PIP has risen unsustainably and assures that changes, implemented from November 2026 for new claimants and award reviews, will include consultation on transitional protections for those losing eligibility and related entitlements like Carer’s Allowance.

However, concerns are voiced about approximately 150,000 carers potentially losing allowances, with warnings of significant financial losses for affected families. While the government highlights the biggest ever cash increase in the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold, the debate scrutinises whether these reforms are being rushed and the adequacy of support for unpaid carers. MPs raise fears about pushing disabled people and carers into poverty, the lack of a social care replacement, and the potential for those still needing care to lose support.

Key Takeaways:

Proposed PIP changes, outlined in the "Pathways to Work" Green Paper, aim for a more sustainable system.
Concerns exist about the impact on Carer’s Allowance, with estimates of 150,000 carers potentially losing support.
The government assures that changes will be implemented from November 2026 and include consultation on transitional protections.
Those with the most severe impairments are stated to be protected under the new plans.
The government highlights an increase in the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold as ongoing support for carers.
The debate underscored anxieties about increased poverty for disabled individuals and carers.
A 12-week consultation period on the Green Paper will allow stakeholders to provide feedback.

Source: PIP Changes: Impact on Carer’s Allowance
Volume 764: debated on Thursday 27 March 2025

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No outside chatter: source material only taken from Hansard and the Parliament UK website.

Contains Parliamentary information repurposed under the Open Parliament Licence v3.0.

Chapters

1. PIP and Carer's Allowance Changes (00:00:00)

2. New law in November 2026 (00:01:08)

3. Carer's Allowance and PIP links (00:01:53)

4. Concerns about financial hit (00:03:05)

5. Blue badge holders (00:05:48)

6. Earnings threshold changes (00:06:15)

7. Government's overall impact assessments (00:07:01)

8. How many PIP claimants will keep their awards? (00:08:27)

9. Changes to the PIP assessment process (00:09:09)

10. Young carers (00:09:50)

11. Final thoughts (00:10:31)

30 episodes