Welfare cuts: What's been happening with Pip and universal credit?
Summary
The UK government is reviewing the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a disability benefit for people with long-term health conditions, after plans to cut payments faced strong opposition. Changes to Universal Credit (UC), a broader welfare program, have already reduced some payments for new claimants with less severe disabilities starting April 2026.Key Facts
- PIP supports 3.7 million people in England and Wales with physical or mental disabilities.
- PIP has two parts: daily living (up to £114.60 per week) and mobility (up to £80.00 per week).
- Plans to tighten PIP assessments were announced, but existing claimants will not be affected.
- The government originally aimed to save £5.5 billion a year through benefit cuts by 2030.
- Experts say changes to PIP will likely not result in net savings by 2029-30.
- Universal Credit provides £424.90 monthly for single adults over 25.
- From April 2026, new UC claimants with less severe disabilities will get half the previous health-related payment.
- Changes to UK welfare can affect Scotland’s budget, even though it has its own disability benefit system.
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