Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill

Universal Credit Bill Passes, But Concerns Over Disability Rights Remain

The government’s welfare reform bill — now titled the Universal Credit Bill — passed its final stage in the House of Commons last week, and will become law. Despite this, 47 Labour MPs voted against the legislation, maintaining near the same level of opposition seen during its second reading. This comes after Labour leader Keir Starmer withdrew plans for significant cuts to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to quell internal dissent.
 

Future PIP changes to be co-produced

In response to continuing concerns, ministers made further concessions, particularly around an amendment proposed by Labour MP Marie Tidball. Her amendment aimed to safeguard disabled people by requiring future PIP changes to be co-designed with disabled people and specialists, ensuring public consultation on new eligibility criteria, and setting targets to reduce the disability employment gap.

While the government rejected a fixed 12-month timeline for the ongoing review led by minister Stephen Timms, it accepted many of Tidball’s recommendations. These include establishing a “disability co-production taskforce” with majority representation from disabled people and advocacy groups. Timms confirmed that the review’s conclusions would be based on consensus and shape future legislation.
 

No changes to PIP until after review is concluded

Earlier, a clause affecting existing PIP claimants had already been removed from the bill to prevent a major rebellion. Planned changes for new claimants have also been postponed until after the review concludes, expected in late 2026.

Further amendments were tabled by backbench Labour MPs, including Rachael Maskell, who argued for continued support for people whose eligibility status fluctuates around the April 2026 changes.
 

Warning from United Nations

The United Nations has also stepped in, requesting information from the UK government on how the bill might affect disabled people. The UN’s disability rights committee warned that the changes could worsen poverty and erode previous progress, urging the government to address these foreseeable risks.

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Update 1st July 2025

The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill was voted through in the House of Commons on 1st July, having been significantly changed, following overwhelming objections from Labour MPs.

Although the changes mean that current recipients of PIP and UC won’t face reductions in their benefits, new applicants will, effectively setting up a two tier benefit system for disabled people.
 

James Watson-O’Neill, Chief Executive of the national disability charity Sense, said:

“Today’s vote in Parliament is deeply distressing. By choosing to advance this bill, MPs have voted for measures the government’s data say will push 150,000 disabled people into poverty. This is not the right way to reform our welfare system — it’s a move that has already caused significant fear and anxiety within the disabled people’s community.

“We’re incredibly grateful to all those who spoke out against the bill. Their efforts helped secure important government concessions, which mean some disabled people will retain the support they rely on. However, this creates a deeply unfair two-tier system — protecting some while leaving new claimants facing serious financial hardship. And the government’s latest concession, to delay the tightening of the criteria for PIP, doesn’t change the fact that it will eventually become harder for new claimants to access this vital benefit.

“Looking ahead, we urge the government to immediately reconsider their proposal to remove the health element of Universal Credit from young people until they turn 22. We also want to work constructively with them to expand the eligibility criteria for additional support for those who will never be able to work, to ensure no one is left behind.”

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Concession caused more anger

In an effort to quieten backbench opposition, the Secretary of State at the DWP had announced that the transition period for people who lost their PIP under the new four point rule would be extended to 13 weeks. This was not regarded as a meaningful change, and had the opposite affect of increasing levels of anger.

At the same time, the fact that the government caved in to pressure over winter fuel payment encouraged rebels to maintain and increase their efforts on opposing changes to disability benefits.
 

Reactions to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill

Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) says:

‘There is a great deal of concern about what the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill means for people’s lives, especially as it comes before the Green Paper on Welfare Reform concludes.

‘Undoubtedly reform is needed to the welfare system. It is complex, frustrating and often works against people. There are many effective ways of supporting disabled people to enter and stay healthy in employment and training – as demonstrated by disability organisations within the VODG membership. But the policy narrative around welfare reform is too often focused on cuts. According to the Resolution Foundation proposals in the current Bill could see up to 1.2 million disabled people lose support, with many facing losses of £4,200–£6,300 a year. This is unacceptable and must change.

‘We urge MPs to work with disabled people, families and carers to put disabled people at the heart of this Bill as it makes its way through Parliament and remember the lives that will be directly impacted by this legislation.’

See more about VODG on their website (external link will open in a new browser tab or window)
 

UK Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Joseph Brunwin, said:

‘We recognise the government’s intention to reform the welfare system, but we are concerned about proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), particularly the requirement to score at least four points on a single daily living activity. PIP is not just financial support – it helps people manage their health, stay independent, and engage in everyday life, including work.

‘Our members see the real impact when this support is lost: reduced function, disrupted routines, and increased risk of declining health or unemployment.

‘Occupational therapists play a vital role in helping people adapt when their needs or circumstances change. If entitlement is reduced, timely access to occupational therapy will be critical so individuals can continue to do the things that are important to them.

‘We urge the Department for Work and Pensions to conduct a full, transparent review, focusing on how changes could affect people’s ability to function and participate in daily life.’

The RCOT website is here (external link will open in a new browser tab or window)
 

Many people with arthritis impacted

The changes could impact 200,000 people, with 77% of people with arthritis who claim PIP in England and Wales losing the vital support altogether.

The charity Versus Arthritis and one of its high-profile supporters, disaster expert Lucy Easthope, are also urging the UK Government to reconsider the PIP cuts and calling on people to contact their MP to urge them to vote against the cuts and protect people with arthritis.

Lucy Easthope is a bestselling author and expert adviser on emergency and disaster recovery. She is a former Professor in Practice of Risk and Hazard at the University of Durham and co-founder of the After Disaster Network at the university. She has vast experience of living with chronic illness through her own diagnosis of arthritis and through caring for her late father who had ankylosing spondylitis. Lucy has advised the Prime Minister’s office on the Covid-19 pandemic. She has advised on the aftermath of Grenfell and the 9/11 and 7/7 London bombings as well as a wide variety of natural disasters all over the world.
 

Lucy Easthope said:

“I know how important it is to so many people who are living with arthritis and other MSK conditions and to take away such a vital lifeline would be a disaster waiting to happen.

“It is a fact, life costs more for disabled people and benefits like PIP can help with extra costs of living and indeed allow a lot of people to work.

“I have no qualms in saying if the Government goes ahead with PIP cuts, it is a man-made disaster waiting to happen and one which could push thousands of people into living in poverty and unnecessary suffering.”

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Versus Arthritis said:

“PIP entitlement is not connected to income or employment, it’s about covering the extra costs people living with a disability face.

“Taking people’s benefits away will not support them into work, in fact it may mean many of them will have to stop work and it will leave them stranded and without vital support – and we are not talking about a handful of instances but 200,000 people with arthritis who are set to lose their PIP entitlement altogether”

Versus Arthritis #cutothebone campaign

Lucy is supporting Versus Arthritis to launch its #cutothebone campaign encouraging members of the public to voice their opposition to the proposed changes.

By visiting the charity’s website, you can email your MP asking them to vote against PIP cuts (external link will open in a new browser tab or window).

You can also add your own voice to the debate by leaving a comment below.
 

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Further reading and resources

PLP report on Universal Credit Sanctionable Failures

Consultation on Pathways to Work

Graeae disabled-led theatre group responds to Pathways to Work

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