The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been urged to means-test Personal Independence Payment (PIP) as Andy Burnham is poised to become Prime Minister, a move that could significantly reduce the welfare and benefits bill. Conservative MP Joy Morrissey raised the issue in Parliament, highlighting that the increased cost of PIP is expected to add an extra £5 billion to the welfare budget this year.
Conservative MP Calls for Means-Testing
Speaking in the House of Commons, Joy Morrissey said: "The increased PIP costs are expected to add an extra £5 billion to the welfare budget this year. As the TaxPayers' Alliance has highlighted, the number of households earning over £100,000 and getting PIP has doubled to 200,000 claimants." She asked: "Will the Minister (Sir Stephen Timms) make an assessment of the potential merits of means-testing PIP to ensure targeted support?"
Political Context and Public Reaction
The warning from Ms Morrissey comes as Andy Burnham looks likely to take over from Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, following Starmer's resignation last Monday. The TaxPayers' Alliance said: "Great to see Joy Morrissey MP highlighting TPA figures showing nearly 200,000 households earning over £100,000 receive PIP. The government should introduce means-testing to protect taxpayers and ensure support remains sustainable for those who need it most."
Public reaction on social media was mixed. One Facebook user commented: "PIP should go to the support services not as income. Will create more jobs and more help available. That's what it is for. If you work and get paid why do you get more income? You should get support services e.g. transport, counselling, computer. The way it used to be." Another argued: "It may not be the claimants who are earning £100,000+. If I'm earning £100,000+ (which I'm not by the way) and my adult son is claiming PIP (which he isn't by the way) because he, for example, has lost his legs in an accident, should I be expected to use my admittedly substantial salary instead of him claiming PIP?"
Disability Costs and Fairness Concerns
A third Facebook user said: "PIP is targeted. It's to help towards the costs of disability. Being disabled costs an average of £1000 a month. Are we going to penalise a hard working disabled person to the tune of £12,000 a year? Just because they've worked their way up to a decent level of income? And yes, maybe they could afford to pay it themselves, but it's supposed to put them on an equal footing with someone who is not disabled."
DWP disability benefits include Disability Living Allowance (DLA), PIP, and Attendance Allowance. The call for means-testing comes amid broader debates about welfare sustainability and targeted support for those most in need.
