Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

January 2016

I firmly believe that disabled people must be supported. This is why nearly £50 billion was spent on disability benefits and services in 2012/13 and overall spending on the main disability benefits is forecast to be higher in every year to 2017-18 that it was in 2009-10. It is also important that they are helped to access opportunities, including finding and holding down work, if they are able to do so. I therefore welcome recent reforms of the benefit system focus to make sure it focuses on individuals. By introducing the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment Government has ensured that a tailored range of financial support is available, including benefits, grants and concessions. Government is also leading a Disability Confident Campaign with employers to help challenge attitudes to disability and ensure that disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their aspirations. Such action has seen the number of disabled people in employment rise by 293,000 in two years.