Debates between Kevan Jones and Laura Pidcock during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Personal Independence Payments

Debate between Kevan Jones and Laura Pidcock
Wednesday 31st January 2018

(6 years, 3 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Kevan Jones Portrait Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab)
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Will my hon. Friend give way?

Laura Pidcock Portrait Laura Pidcock
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I have to make progress—just give me a minute.

DLA was criticised for having complex and subjective criteria and inconsistent decision making, resulting in too many awards and too few reviews of awards. The Government say that the PIP process is

“a more active and enabling benefit”.

I disagree in the strongest possible terms. The introduction of PIP was another cuts exercise. The coalition Government made the need to make savings a clear aim of the new benefit. [Interruption.] They said it themselves. According to the Library, PIP was expected to reduce expenditure by £1.5 billion, and 607,000 fewer people were expected to receive PIP by 2018. That kind of reduction cannot be achieved without the anguish and suffering of thousands of people.