Time for a rethink on DLA reform
11 January 2012
Ever since the Government unveiled its plans to reform
disability living allowance (DLA) back in 2010, it has faced
protests from all quarters, including service users and their
families. But a new report has revealed just how unpopular the
proposed changes are - it seems almost nobody wants them. Surely,
then, it is time for the Government to take notice and rethink its
plans? The report, 'Responsible Reform' - written and funded by
people with disabilities - sifted through hundreds of responses to
the Government's own consultation, obtained under Freedom of
Information requests, and found that 74% of respondents were
against the replacement of DLA with the personal independent
payment (PIP). Only 7% were fully in favour. Researchers also found
almost complete opposition to other proposed reforms; 98% of
respondents objected to the qualifying period for the benefit being
raised from 3 to 6 months and 99% objected to DLA no longer being
used as a qualification for other benefits. It seems pretty
conclusive: PIP is not wanted. So, if this Government is, as it
claims to be, listening to the public, then it must surely halt
these reforms and reconsider its options. The concerns raised must
be listened to and addressed before any Bill is passed. Opposition
to change is not uncommon, but when nearly 100% of responses to a
consultation clearly say no, that cannot be ignored. Or can it? So
far, there is no indication of a change of tack. Since the
publication of the report, the Government has maintained its
existing line on the issue. The Department for Work & Pensions'
(DWP) Twitter feed (@dwppressoffice) repeated the government's main
reasons for replacing DLA with PIP - the vast majority of claimants
get it for life without systematic checks to see if their condition
has changed, resulting in millions of pounds worth of overpayments.
PIP will bring in face-to-face assessments to ensure it goes to
those who need it most etc etc. Minister for disabled people, Maria
Miller, interviewed on Victoria Derbyshire's show on Radio 5Live on
Monday, repeated those arguments. The interview, along with that of
one of the report's authors, Sue Marsh, can be listened to here. Before going further I should, of
course, note that 'Responsible Reform' - and others - have
challenged the validity of the DWP's assertions. However, in the
Radio 5Live interview, Miller did make one comment that perhaps
gives some comfort to people with learning disabilities: "The
change in the way we deal with mobility under PIP will mean that
people, particularly with learning difficulties, who at the moment
get very little recognition at the higher levels of DLA, will get
that greater recognition under PIP in the future." However, Miller
did not go into further detail on this point. More generally the
Government has offered a few concessions on disability benefit
reform - most notably abandoning its plans to axe payments of the
mobility component of DLA to those living in residential care - but
the majority of its planned reforms remain steadfastly in place.
Indeed, judging by the way the Government put its plans to
Parliament, before the consultation had closed, meaning that
members did not get to see the full picture before voting -
in the process, breaking its own code of practice on consultation -
it seems it is intent on pushing through its welfare reform
programme despite whatever anyone else says.
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