Getty images
Changes in a key disability profit called personal independence payment (PIP) are examined by the government because it tries to reduce social protection expenses.
PIP is paid to people who find it difficult to perform daily tasks or move due to a long -term physical or mental health problem.
Sir Keir Starmer faces the pressure of certain deputies and charitable organizations, who say that vulnerable people could lose if the qualification rules are tightened or if the payments have changed.
How much is a PIP worth?
There are two PIP elements – a daily living component and a mobility component. Applicants can be eligible for one or both.
Daily Living covers areas such as require help to prepare food, wash, read and manage your money. The mobility element includes the movement physically or the exit of your home.
For everyone, there are two standard payment categories – and, for those who have more important, improved needs.
For daily life:
The standard rate is £ 72.65 per week The improved rate is £ 108.55 per week
For mobility:
The standard rate is £ 28.70 per week The improved rate is £ 75.75 per week
PIP is generally paid every four weeks and is free from tax.
It does not change according to your income and does not count as income affecting other advantages or the service ceiling. You can get PIP if you work.
Payment is made for a fixed period between one and 10 years, after which it is examined. A reassessment could come earlier if your situation was changing.
How many people receive PIP and who qualify?
More than 3.6 million people are currently claiming PIP.
Payments are made in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, there is a similar but distinct advantage called the payment of the disability of adults.
The applicants are assessed and noted for the quantity of help necessary for each of a series of daily tasks of life and mobility, in a process that has caused considerable debate and controversy.
A score between eight and 11 leads to payment of the standard rate. The improved rate is paid to those who have a score of 12 years and over.
About 1.3 million people are now claiming disability services mainly for mental health or behavioral conditions such as ADHD. This represents 44% of all working age seekers, according to the independent economic reflection group, the Institute of Tax Studies (IFS).
How could the rules be modified?
When PIP was presented in 2013, the objective was to save 1.4 billion pounds sterling per year by reducing the number of people eligible for payments.
However, the initial savings were modest and the number of applicants increased.
PIP is now the second largest element of the social protection bill for the opening age, expenses should almost double at 34 billion pounds sterling by 2029-30.
Overall, the government is currently spending 65 billion pounds sterling per year on health and disability benefits. This should increase to 100 billion pounds sterling by 2029.
Consequently, ministers are pushed by ministers to make changes and encourage people to work.
Initially, we thought they might not increase PIP payments in accordance with inflation for a year – but this idea was removed after work deputies expressed the opposition.
Another option would be to tighten the criteria, by modifying the rating system for those who qualify.
What about options with other advantages?
Although a large part of the accent on PIP, the government can also decide to make changes to other advantages.
Universal credit is the greatest advantage of working age, paid at 7.5 million people who may or may not be at work.
More than three million universal credit beneficiaries have no obligation to find work, a number that has increased sharply.
The government says it is not sustainable and that it wants to help more people in jobs.
