Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill

Debate between Liz Kendall and Josh Fenton-Glynn

2nd reading
Tuesday 1st July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Esther McVey]

rose—

[Josh Fenton-Glynn (Calder Valley) (Lab)]

rose—

[Liz Kendall]

I will give way to my hon. Friend.

--- Later in debate ---

[Josh Fenton-Glynn]

I thank the Secretary of State for giving way. I welcome the improvements made to the Bill so far, but I think we still need more details about the co-productive element of the Timms review. Will she confirm that the review will guarantee that disabled people and their organisations are the key voice in developing this policy? Will the review change and revolutionise the view in Whitehall, so that future policies that impact disabled people will always have their voices central to the discussion?

[Liz Kendall]

I can absolutely reassure my hon. Friend about that. Many hon. Members have asked for precise details about how this process will work, and it is extremely important for us—we are beginning the process—to discuss this with disabled people, their organisations and other experts. It is not for me—[Interruption.] If the right hon. Member for Tatton (Esther McVey) would let me finish my sentence I will, of course, give way. It is important that we do not come up with—it would be completely wrong if we in Whitehall came up with a process and imposed it on other people. We have to do this properly.

Welfare Reform

Debate between Liz Kendall and Josh Fenton-Glynn

Monday 30th June 2025 Commons Chamber

[Liz Kendall]

The Minister for Social Security and Disability and I have met many disabled organisations. In fact, he has spoken to many already about the review. We will continue to discuss with them precisely how the system of co-production will work, but I want to assure my hon. Friend that it is serious. We want to make sure people’s views and voices are heard, and I encourage him, as a Member of Parliament, to get involved in the process too.

[Josh Fenton-Glynn (Calder Valley) (Lab)]

As a signatory to the reasoned amendment, I welcome the listening that has gone on, because a lot of people with disabilities will sleep more soundly in their beds knowing that their benefits are protected. However, on a specific point, if someone currently receives PIP but their condition is getting worse and they ask for a reassessment of the level of their PIP, will they be assessed under the current system or under the new one?

[Liz Kendall]

They are an existing claimant and they will be assessed—let me be really clear about this—under the existing rules.