The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is preparing to announce its plans regarding cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) within the coming weeks, with the final recommendations of the Timms Review scheduled for release before 30 November.
The Timms Review represents the first comprehensive government evaluation of PIP since the benefit’s introduction in 2013. It aims to address concerns about the sustainability of disability benefit spending, often described as “unsustainable,” and to propose potential reforms.
Dr Robert de Vries from the University of Kent spoke out today following a new study highlighting that public appetite for cuts to benefits for disabled claimants remains low.
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A spokesperson for the Labour Party stated: “We inherited a system marked by rising costs and poor outcomes for many. We are working to rectify this by extending award review periods, increasing face-to-face assessments, and supporting sick or disabled individuals into employment, with a commitment of £3.5 billion by the end of this Parliament.
“The final recommendations from the Timms and Milburn Reviews, due this autumn, will establish the groundwork for sustainable long-term reform.”
Dr de Vries noted a broader trend of declining public support for increased welfare spending since 2019, saying, “Support for higher spending on ‘welfare benefits for the poor’ and on education, health, and welfare more broadly has decreased sharply. Although traditionally supporters of left-wing parties are more inclined to support increased spending than those of right-wing parties, recent data show even left-wing supporters are nearly as likely to oppose as support additional spending.”
However, attitudes towards disability benefits specifically differ. Despite recent declines, 49% of the public still support increased spending on benefits for disabled people unable to work, while only 7% favour cuts. Disabled individuals remain the highest priority for extra welfare spending, closely followed by pensioners, with 57% backing increased funding for retirement pensions.
Commenting on government policy, Dr de Vries stated: “Current government proposals to reduce spending conflict with the fact that 57% of Labour voters support increased funding for disability benefits, with just 5% favouring reductions. While support among right-wing voters for such spending is lower, opposition to benefit cuts remains strong, with only 11% of Conservative voters and 7% of Reform voters supporting spending cuts.”
He added that any reductions to PIP would counter widespread, cross-party backing for additional benefits for disabled individuals with impairments affecting daily living activities.