Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what plans her Department has to increase personal independent payment in line with the temporary increase in universal credit during the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government has announced a suite of measures that can be quickly and effectively operationalised to benefit those facing the most financial disruption during the pandemic. Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a tax-free extra costs benefit worth up to £151.40 a week, was not subject to the benefits freeze and was most recently uprated by 1.7 per cent from 6 April.

PIP can be paid in addition to other financial support that those with a health condition or disability may be eligible for such as Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit, additional amounts and premiums paid within the income-related benefits, Carer’s Allowance or financial help with NHS travel costs.