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.