Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Not Addressed
Removal of Universal Credit Bill Clause 5 welcomed, but policy development and impact analysis lacked.
Conclusion
In the end, the Government made the right decision by removing Clause 5 from the Universal Credit Bill, as a result of which there will now be no change to PIP eligibility until after the completion of the PIP review. The decision, and the way it was made, of course gives rise to many other questions. We had concerns about the policy development process, which was particularly troubling given the Government’s commitment to improving its approach to safeguarding. We do not understand why a comprehensive and independent impact analysis was not undertaken before the Bill was introduced. There are clearly lessons to be learned. We would also welcome Ministers’ consideration of how a realigned, disability friendly labour market and an NHS with additional capacity might impact on the rate of disability and incapacity benefit off-flows, and similarly how longer-term improvements in population health might impact on the rate of on-flows. (Conclusion, Paragraph 103)
Government Response Summary
The government confirmed the removal of Clause 5 from the Bill and stated that PIP reforms will proceed through the co-produced Timms Review, but did not address the committee's concerns regarding policy development process, impact analysis, or long-term considerations.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Following concerns raised about the pace of change, particularly around the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) we removed clause 5 of the Bill. We will now take forward reforms to PIP in a different way, through the Timms Review, which we are co-producing with disabled people and other experts.