Thank you to those constituents who have emailed me about the Welfare Reform Bill.

I recognise that the Government’s proposed welfare reforms have been a source of uncertainty and great anxiety, and we didn’t get the process right. We failed to engage in the way that we should have done.

But having listened – that’s what many people asked us to do – we have now been able to reassure all of those people currently receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) that they will stay within the current system and will not be affected. And no changes will be made to PIP eligibility criteria in future until the Government has concluded its review of the assessment process.

I think we all want a welfare state that is there for all of us when we need it, now and in the future, that protects the most vulnerable, and delivers equality and dignity for all. There will always be some people who cannot work, and the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill will protect them. The Bill will ensure that 200,000 individuals with the most severe disabling conditions are never again called for Universal Credit (UC) reassessments. I would also like to reassure you that anyone currently in receipt of the UC health component will have their benefits protected in real terms, while they benefit from a higher standard allowance.

I do believe, however, that those who can work, should work – the Bill will tackle the perverse incentives of our welfare system – while those who cannot should be protected.

We are investing £1 billion in tailored employment support for disabled people. This will be alongside efforts to break down barriers to work and create more inclusive workplaces. Disabled people deserve the same opportunities as everybody else.

The Bill will also benefit millions of households by increasing the standard allowance of Universal Credit above inflation for the first time ever – a £775 rise in cash terms by 2029-30.

I am also glad that the broken Work Capability Assessment, which many constituents have said to me they hate, will be scrapped. This will simplify the process for accessing health-related benefits into one single assessment and end the binary can-or-cannot work divide, so helping those who can work to access support to do so.

The Government has also launched a review of the PIP assessment to ensure the benefit is fair and fit for the future. This review will be undertaken with disabled people and the organisations that represent them. Ministers will only make changes to PIP eligibility, activities and descriptors following the review, which is expected to report in Autumn 2026.

Taken together, this is a fair package that will preserve the social security system for those who need it by putting it on a fair footing. It is simply not sustainable for the cost of welfare to carry on increasing at its current rate, especially when the UK is out of line with other comparable countries. What the Bill will do is to support people back into work, protect those who cannot work and hopefully reduce anxiety for those currently in the system.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this very important issue.

Best wishes

Rt Hon Hilary Benn
MP for Leeds South
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland