{"id":120609,"date":"2026-05-18T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=120609"},"modified":"2026-05-18T09:46:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T08:46:47","slug":"new-pip-changes-could-transform-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/new-pip-changes-could-transform-support\/","title":{"rendered":"New PIP Changes Could Transform Support for Millions of Claimants"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The UK government is facing renewed pressure to overhaul the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system after new figures showed disabled people continue to face far higher unemployment rates <\/strong>than non-disabled workers. Calls for reform come as ministers continue the Timms Review into welfare and disability support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campaigners and trade unions say changes to PIP and employment support are needed to help disabled people enter and remain in work. The debate has intensified after the government abandoned earlier proposals to restrict eligibility for PIP <\/strong>following opposition from MPs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is now under scrutiny from disability groups, unions, and campaigners over how welfare policy can better support employment without increasing hardship for claimants. According to the Trades Union Congress (TUC<\/a>), disabled workers are currently experiencing unemployment rates not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unions Call for Wider Support Alongside PIP Reform<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The latest pressure on the government follows TUC research showing that the unemployment rate for disabled people stands at 8.8%,<\/strong> compared with 4.3%<\/strong> for non-disabled people. According to the TUC, this is the highest disability unemployment level recorded since before the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Labour minister Sir Stephen Timms <\/a>is leading the government\u2019s ongoing review of PIP, which was launched after ministers dropped proposed restrictions to the benefit system. The review aims to examine whether PIP remains \u201cfit and fair for the future,\u201d according to the DWP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak<\/a> said the review presents what he described as a \u201cvital opportunity\u201d to improve support for disabled people seeking employment. He argued that many disabled people are dealing not only with unemployment, but also insecure work<\/strong> and low pay<\/strong> while navigating what he called a social security system \u201cnot fit for purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowak said reforms to PIP should be combined with broader workplace changes. According to his comments, these include ensuring disabled workers receive reasonable adjustments, strengthening employment rights, and reforming the Access to Work scheme. He added that these measures would help create a system <\/strong>capable of supporting disabled workers more effectively over the long term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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UK job postings dipped in April amid the Easter holiday lull and Gulf headwinds.

New job postings totalled 711,733 in April 2026, down -7.7% from March and -5.6% year-on-year.

\ud83d\udd39 Active job postings saw only a slight monthly contraction (-0.8%), with 1.6 million roles\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/2NPmV7gE3M<\/a><\/p>— Recruitment & Employment Confederation (@RECmembers) May 18, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>