Government Announces Overhaul of Disability Benefit Assessment Process
The UK government has confirmed that it will begin a comprehensive review of the disability benefit assessment process, a move that has been welcomed by campaigners who have long criticised the current system as cruel and ineffective. According to a report in The Guardian, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall announced on Monday that the review would focus on abolishing the work capability assessment and overhauling the process for applying for the personal independence payment (Pip) to create a single assessment process.
The review, which will begin this week, will involve significant consultation with disabled people, campaigners, and experts, according to Kendall. The changes are aimed at ensuring that Pip is fair for those who need it now and in the future. As Kendall stated, "I know how anxious many people are when there’s talk about reform, but this government wants to ensure Pip is fair for people who need it now and into the future." The Guardian reported that Kendall’s announcement comes amid criticism of the government’s forthcoming welfare cuts, which have been widely condemned by campaigners and MPs.
The government’s plans have been met with opposition from many MPs, who have expressed concerns about the impact of the cuts on their constituents. Earlier this week, 42 Labour MPs signed a letter to The Guardian calling for a pause on the welfare changes, which they said would push thousands of people into poverty. The MPs argued that the changes were unfair and would disproportionately affect vulnerable groups. As Neil Duncan-Jordan, the MP for Poole, noted, "Helping people into work requires investment in employment support programmes, incentives for employers to recruit them, and enforcement of anti-discrimination rules."
The review of the disability benefit assessment process is part of a broader effort to reform the welfare system and address the rising welfare bill. The government has argued that the changes are necessary to encourage more unemployed disabled people to try to get back into work. However, many campaigners and MPs have expressed concerns that the changes will have a negative impact on those who rely on disability benefits to survive. Polly Billington, the MP for East Thanet, criticised a proposed benefits change to delay access to the health element of universal credit to age 22, asking, "Can she explain to me how denying access to the health-related element of universal credit will help these young people into work?"
The Guardian reported that Imran Hussain, the MP for Bradford East, also expressed concerns about the impact of the cuts on his constituents, saying, "Please listen to the growing calls, in this place [parliament] and out there, to scrap these unfair cuts and instead do the right thing by taxing the super-rich so they can pay their fair share." Kendall has promised to listen to the concerns of MPs and campaigners, and to work with disabled people and organisations that represent them to implement the changes.
In its green paper published in March, the Department for Work and Pensions noted that experiences of the assessment were "not always positive" and that reporting of mental health or neurodiverse conditions was increasing more rapidly and more markedly among younger adults. The review of the disability benefit assessment process is expected to focus on building a £1bn-a-year employment support programme, and ensuring that those who can never work will be protected, including by making sure that they do not have to go through reassessment repeatedly. As Kendall stated, "We will be consulting with disabled people about how to build our £1bn-a-year employment support programme, and we will make sure that those who can never work will be protected, including by making sure that they do not have to go through reassessment repeatedly, which has been the situation so far."
The announcement of the review has been welcomed by campaigners, who have long called for changes to the disability benefit assessment process. The Guardian reported that the review is expected to be a key issue in the coming weeks, with many MPs and campaigners closely watching the government’s progress. According to Kendall, "In our green paper we promised to review the Pip assessment, working with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and other experts. And I can tell the house we are starting the first phase of that review today."
This review could have far-reaching implications for the welfare system and those who rely on disability benefits. As the government moves forward with its plans, it remains to be seen how the changes will impact vulnerable groups and whether the review will lead to meaningful reforms.
Sources: The Guardian, "Liz Kendall to begin overhaul of disability benefit assessment process" – https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/12/liz-kendall-dwp-disability-benefit-assessment
