PIP system is dehumanising and stressful, finds first Timms Review report

The current Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system is “dehumanising and stressful” for disabled people and those with long-term medical conditions, according to the first-ever full review of PIP.

The interim report of the Timms Review drew on findings from more than 38,000 responses to a Call for Evidence, as well as workshops and engagement with disabled people, their organisations and experts

It found that PIP is no longer fit for purpose and is failing to keep pace with how disability, health and work have changed over the past decade. Although PIP is a lifeline for many claimants, it can also create barriers to work, physical activity and community life, particularly for people with fluctuating, less visible or multiple conditions. The steering group also agreed that, in some instances, it is left to fill the gaps that other services and support should be offering. 

Some 90% of respondents said that the assessment process and criteria were at times “dehumanising”, “degrading” and “stressful”, and that the use of supporting evidence was too often inconsistent. Only 5% of responses regarding the process were positive.

The report also acknowledged that PIP’s public reputation is low and that public support for spending on welfare for disabled people has decreased, creating anxiety among disabled people.

PIP needs to be sustainable within fixed financial limits for future generations

The Timms Review is the first comprehensive examination of PIP since its introduction in 2013. It is co-chaired by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms, Sharon Brennan, and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. It also has a 12-member steering group who work alongside the three co-chairs.

The steering group will continue to gather evidence through expert sessions and workshops across the country, while moving into the next phase: designing and testing recommendations for change, with the final recommendations due to be published this autumn.

PIP exists to help with the extra costs disabled people face, whether they are in work, out of work, or unable to work. However, the Review will take account of related work underway across the wider health and social care system, including the Milburn Review into the rise in the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

The report said that it needs to consider how PIP can remain sustainable within fixed financial limits and support future generations, given that around 10 million working-age people report living with a disability (24% of the working-age population). This compares with under 17% in 2013/14, reflecting a rise in mental health conditions since the pandemic.

It also found that there remains widespread misunderstanding about PIP’s purpose and people’s needs, that extra costs vary significantly, and that the current system does not always recognise these differences or offer appropriate support.

A system that does not feel fair will not command trust

Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, co-chair of the Review, said: “Disabled people have told us about a process that can feel stressful, dehumanising and hard to navigate, especially for people with fluctuating conditions, less visible or multiple conditions. That matters, because a system that does not feel fair or humane will not command trust from disabled people or from the wider public.

“This Review is significant because disabled people, Disabled People’s Organisations and experts are helping and supporting to shape the work from the inside, not simply being consulted from the outside. As we move towards final recommendations, we need to be bold in our ambition, practical in our proposals, and focused on making PIP fair, trusted and fit for the future.”

Disability charities have welcomed the findings and said it is groundbreaking to see proper co-production in action, so that people with lived experience get to help make the right decisions about its future.

Disability charities commend the co-production in the PIP review

Jon Sparkes, OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability Mencap, said: “This report shows clearly that the current claims process is not fit for purpose and places an unfair administrative and emotional burden on people with a learning disability and their families. This chimes with our experience: the application process is not accessible, assessments end up being a needless fight and unnecessary re-assessments create distrust in the decision-making process.

“This approach should continue so that future recommendations are practical, deliverable and do not harm disabled people. I hope that the process of co-production will help to restore trust in the welfare systems that many of us rely on.”

Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing, Sense, added: “Too many disabled people are being failed by the current benefits system, and we welcome the Timms Review’s acknowledgement of this. Sense research found that nearly half of disabled people with complex needs on benefits said that the application process made their conditions worse; this is clearly a system that needs to urgently change.

“We are also pleased to see the review’s commitment to co-production with disabled people, and look forward to being further involved in this process. Benefits like PIP are a vital lifeline for disabled people. They are the difference between people being part of their communities, seeing people they love, being able to stay active and getting to work.

“As the Timms review moves into its next phase, we urge the review team to ensure its recommendations are driven by the goal of improving disabled people’s lives, not reducing public spending. Changes to welfare must remove barriers, strengthen support and build a system that treats disabled people with dignity, respect and trust.”

Alison Bloomer

Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today.

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