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03
Jun
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP calls for u-turn on government's PIP reforms
The Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, Tom Gordon, has called for the Government to urgently change course and rethink its reforms to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), claiming that 83% people receiving the payment in Harrogate and Knaresborough could lose at least some of their benefit.
PIP is awarded according to a system which gives points to would-be claimants according to how difficult they find it to complete everyday tasks such as washing, taking medication or going to the toilet.
For example, if an applicant can make a meal unaided, they are awarded no points. If they can do it but only using a microwave, they are awarded two points. If they need someone to help them, they get four points, and if they cannot do it at all, they are awarded eight points.
Under the Government’s plans, from November 2026 people on PIP will need to score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to receive support.
Those scoring less will lose access to the “daily living” component, which for some will result in a full withdrawal of the benefit.
Mr Gordon said:
These changes to Personal Independence Payments are deeply concerning, and I’m worried about what it could mean for vulnerable residents in Harrogate and Knaresborough who could lose vital parts of the benefit.
Large numbers of people could miss out on support, the support that helps people with daily tasks that many of us would take for granted, such as staying clean or staying safe. Many people depend on this vital help to stay in work and support themselves financially.
The Government has to recognise that what they’re doing is wrong, and change course before it’s too late for people in our communities.
He was speaking after one of his colleagues, Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay Steve Darling, asked the government for a breakdown of PIP data.
Answering Mr Darling’s question for the government, Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, revealed that 83% of claimants in the Harrogate and Knaresborough constituency scored less than four points in all daily living activities.
In Skipton and Ripon, the figure is 82%, and in Wetherby and Easingwold, which includes Boroughbridge, the figure is 84%.
But Sir Stephen said:
The number of people currently on PIP and did not score 4 points in one category in their last assessment should not be equated with the number who are likely to lose PIP.
It’s important to make a clear distinction between the two, not least because we don’t want constituents to be unnecessarily fearful about their situation, when we understand many are already anxious. We will always protect the most vulnerable people.
The OBR [Office for Budget Responsibility] has determined that 9 in 10 people currently on PIP will still be receiving it by the end of this Parliament. No one will lose access to PIP immediately.
PIP constitutes a major proportion of the government's social security budget. PIP claimants received an average of £6,900 each in 2023-24, where those claiming Disability Living Allowance received £5,520 each, and Attendance Allowance claimants received £4,820 each.
People receiving PIP may be living with all kinds of health condition, including cerebral palsy, cancer, transplants, amputations, back pain and vision impairments. The five conditions that accounted for the greatest PIP expenditure in 2023-24 were:
- mixed anxiety and depressive disorders (£1.97bn)
- osteoarthritis (£1.5bn)
- learning disability global (£1.49bn)
- autistic spectrum disorders (£1.31bn)
- specific back pain (£1.23bn)
Sir Stephen added:
Even with these reforms, the overall number of people on PIP is expected to rise by 750,000 by the end of this parliament and spending will rise from £23bn in 24/25 to £31bn in 29/30.
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