At ABS we understand that the recent coverage of proposed Welfare Reform can be concerning, frustrating and confusing.
We have provided an update following a pivotal vote in the Commons on 1st July 2025.
Our Welfare Team will be happy to discuss this with you if you continue to feel unsure about how these changes could affect you and your family.
The Government’s Welfare Reform bill (Pathways to Work Green Paper) was voted upon in the House of Commons on 1st July, and was passed by a majority. However, there were a number of concessions made to the bill late in the day.
Although the bill passed, the PIP changes proposed have been paused by the government until the disabilities minister, Stephen Timms, conducts a review into the impact of the cuts.
This review will involve a comprehensive study of the PIP assessment process, and will be co-produced with disabled people and carers, following extensive consultation.
The findings of the review are expected late 2026, which will be followed by an implementation plan, meaning payments, applications and assessments should not be affected until at least this date, if at all.
Even after a series of concessions, the health top-up element of universal credit will still be frozen for current claimants, and halved for new claimants.
The government has pledged to make the necessary amendments to the Bill when it returns to the Commons next week.
It is then likely to continue through Parliament, becoming law after it has been approved by MPs and peers.
We are saddened by the potential impact of this reform on disabled people in our community, but we are committed to standing by you throughout this period of uncertainty and change.
