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New government data reveals that the number of individuals claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) in England and Wales has reached an unprecedented level. By July, over four million people were eligible to receive PIP, marking a 7% increase from 3.83 million claimants the previous year, according to figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
PIP aims to assist those facing additional costs due to disabilities or long-term physical or mental health conditions, with eligibility determined regardless of income or savings. Of those claiming the benefit, more than half were aged 50 and above, nearly 30% were between 30 and 49 years old, and 17% were aged 16 to 29. The benefit is intended to help cover the higher expenses associated with living with certain chronic health issues, a burden that, as noted by the disability charity Scope, now exceeds £1,100 monthly.
The DWP acknowledged that while the increase in claimants has slowed—from a rise of 400,000 in the 12 months leading to July 2024 to an increase of 260,000 in the following two years—they agreed with assessments that the current system is outdated. They expressed support for the ongoing review helmed by Sir Stephen Timms, which aims to establish a foundation for sustainable reforms. However, Helen Whatley, shadow work and pensions secretary, criticized the current approach, stating that Labour was “too quick to write people off and too slow to help them into work,” adding that the situation was “costing us a fortune.”
The PIP system has been under scrutiny since mid-2025 when the government, then led by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, sought to tighten eligibility criteria in response to escalating costs. Spending on PIP rose from £16.3 billion in 2019-20 (inflation-adjusted) to £27.3 billion by 2024-25, with projections estimating an increase to £41.5 billion by 2030-31. Due to internal opposition from Labour MPs worried about potential votes against the changes, the government abandoned initial reform plans and instead commissioned a review headed by Sir Stephen Timms with the goal of producing a system that is “fit and fair for the future.”
The interim report released during the summer highlighted significant flaws in the current system, describing it as “not fit for purpose” and the application process as “dehumanising.” At present, health professionals evaluate claimants based on their ability to perform everyday tasks on a scale from zero to 12, considering activities such as washing, dressing, and food preparation. Recent recommendations from the review suggest an increase in face-to-face assessments, retaining cash payments as the primary support method while introducing non-cash assistance options. The full findings of the Timms review are expected to be published later this year
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