The government’s contentious welfare bill has been voted in by Parliament this evening (1 July), after a concession made last minute to take out any reform to personal independence payment (PIP) until after the Timms Review of the PIP Assessment has been carried out.
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments Bill stirred up controversy over the stringent cuts to welfare benefits proposed by the government.
More than 120 Labour MPs threatened to block the original bill, forcing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to make a concession, allowing current claimants to remain unaffected by the cuts.
Earlier today, 39 MPs signed a fresh bid to block the bill, amid criticisms that it will create a two-tier system and an “unequal future” for people.
Shortly before this evening’s vote, the government made its latest change to the bill which was debated in Parliament.
‘People with epilepsy must be consulted’
Epilepsy Action has been campaigning against the plans, highlighting that many PIP recipients are in employment and use the support to life and work safely.
Of today’s news, the organisation said it will push for people with epilepsy to be represented in the forthcoming PIP review.
Daniel Jennings, senior policy and campaigns officer at Epilepsy Action, said: “Today, the government announced that it has passed its new welfare bill, but last-minute changes mean PIP will not be affected for now.
“While we appreciate the changes made to the government’s initial plans and are pleased that people with epilepsy will continue to get this essential support, the last-minute climbdowns and amends have been quite a shambles and have cost people with epilepsy a lot of stress and anxiety. The opposition to the cuts to such key benefits has been strong and clear for weeks.
“Thank you to everyone who took part in our Don’t Take the PIP campaign, and to the MPs who voiced their concerns in parliament over the past few weeks.
“We will now push for people with epilepsy to be represented in the Timms review around PIP, to ensure their voices are heard. As the largest hidden disability community in the UK, people with epilepsy must be consulted as part of any welfare reforms. For too long people without visible disabilities have had their PIP claims unfairly rejected.
“This isolates people both financially and socially. We must change that. It must change now.”
What do you think of the welfare bill? Let us know your thoughts and views at campaigns@epilepsy.org.uk