A government-led review into Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has begun, as a 12-member panel meets to examine how the benefit could better reflect modern disabilities. More than 3.8 million people are currently claiming PIP across England and Wales, and changes could impact both new and existing claimants.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that a steering group tasked with assessing PIP’s eligibility framework will convene with the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, later this week. The long-anticipated meeting marks the formal launch of what the government calls a “comprehensive review” of how disability support is allocated in the UK.
According to remarks made by Sir Stephen during the DWP oral questions session in Parliament on Monday, the group’s role is to ensure that PIP remains “fair and fit for the future.” He noted that the number of working-age adults receiving PIP had risen from two million before the pandemic to over three million, with projections showing continued growth.
A First-Of-Its-Kind Review into PIP’s Structure and Criteria
The current review, also referred to as the Timms Review, is the first comprehensive assessment of PIP since its introduction. The benefit provides non-means-tested financial support of between £116.80 and £749.80 every four weeks to individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions. Despite major social and workplace changes in recent years, the structure of PIP has remained largely unchanged.
The review will look specifically at both components of the benefit, Daily Living and Mobility, and consider whether the assessment descriptors and scoring systems accurately reflect the lived experiences of disabled people in today’s society. One area under examination is whether other forms of evidence, including environmental or personal factors, should be incorporated into the decision-making process.
The 12-member steering group will work under the joint leadership of Sir Stephen Timms, Sharron Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. The group is expected to deliver findings by Autumn 2026. According to DWP guidance, recommendations could influence future legislative changes or inform updates to non-legislative procedures across the benefits system.
Review Aims to Bridge Benefit Access with Wider Social Support
The broader purpose of the review is to assess how PIP, as the UK’s primary health-related and disability benefit, can contribute to improved living standards and independent living for claimants. According to DWP, the review will also explore PIP’s role as a gateway to additional forms of support across public services, with the aim of aligning benefit access more closely with individuals’ actual needs and goals.
The government has emphasised that the non-means-tested nature of PIP will not change, and that it will continue to be available to people in and out of employment. Sir Stephen said the review would “draw on the full range of voices” to shape a future system that is both sustainable and reflective of today’s realities.
One key principle of the review is to ensure that any proposed adjustments apply not only to future applicants but also to those already receiving support. According to the DWP, changes may involve reassessments for current claimants to ensure equity and consistency. The review’s recommendations will be submitted to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden for consideration.
The Timms Review reflects growing political and public scrutiny over how the UK supports its disabled population. With more than 3.8 million people relying on PIP, the outcome of this review is likely to shape the future of disability support for years to come.
