UK areas hit hardest by DWP PIP cuts with 800k affected
Welfare cuts will impact over 800,000 people, with half losing their PIP entirely in 10 constituencies in England and Wales, a report has revealed.
More than half of disabled people who need help with everyday tasks in parts of England and Wales could lose their benefits under the Government’s welfare cuts, the report found.
The Big Issue analysed data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and discovered that at least half of all current claimants of the personal independence payment (PIP) daily living allowance in 10 constituencies would see payments vanish if plans are voted through by MPs next month.
Areas hit included Tipton and Wednesbury, and Wolverhampton South East, the latter is the constituency of Cabinet minister Pat McFadden.
The least affected area was Guildford in Surrey, although the Big Issue still found that a third or more of PIP daily living claimants there could still lose out.
In Boston and Skegness, represented by Richard Tice, Reform UK's deputy leader, over half, 52% of claimants, are at risk of losing their payments.
Earlier this month, it was reported that changes to PIP (Personal Independence Payment) eligibility could result in some claimants losing out on £12,000 a year in payments.
Estimates suggest that under proposed changes, some 800,000 people will lose eligibility for the daily living part of the benefit, with an average loss of £4,500 a year by 2029/2030.
But Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling, whose questions prompted the research used by The Big Issue, said: "Under the proposals, a number of households across the country could lose £12,000 if they lost PIP and Carer’s Allowance at the same time. That would be massive."
The higher rate for PIP is currently £5,740.80 a year, while Carer's Allowance pays £4,331.60 a year. So, if a household lost out on both these benefits, its income would drop by £10,072.40 a year.
A DWP spokesperson told the Big Issue that most claimants would still get PIP even after the changes: “We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected.
“We have also announced a review of the PIP assessment, and we will be working with disabled people and key organisations representing them to consider how best to do this as we deliver on our Plan for Change.”
List of areas most affected
- Boston and Skegness – 52%
- Tipton and Wednesbury – 52%
- Torfaen – 51%
- Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney – 51%
- Smethwick – 51%
- Cannock Chase – 51%
- Wolverhampton South East – 51%
- Bolsover – 51%
- South Holland and The Deepings – 50%
- Rhondda and Ogmore – 50%
The list shows the percentage of PIP daily living claimants who scored under four points in all daily living categories in their PIP assessment
