Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Welfare Reform: Disabled People

Wednesday 15 May 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department engages regularly with the Cabinet Office on different options for reshaping the current welfare system, including the potential impact on claimants with different health conditions.
  • We want to understand how best to target support for disabled people and those with health conditions, ensuring they feel understood and have a voice in the consultation.
  • I recently met people diagnosed with Parkinson's early and am happy to meet more broadly with Parkinson's UK, engaging with advocates for disabled people at events in the House.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alan Brown SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Discussions on the potential impact of proposed welfare reforms on disabled individuals are ongoing.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential impact of the Government's proposed welfare reforms on disabled people?

Answer from Mims Davies

The Department engages regularly with the Cabinet Office on different options for reshaping the current welfare system set out in the health and disability Green Paper, including on the potential impact on claimants with different health conditions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any recent discussions or provide concrete details about specific meetings.

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Q2 Chris Stephens SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Multiple Sclerosis Society found that nearly two in three people with MS said the application process for PIP had a negative effect on their physical and mental health. The proposed reforms are criticized as potentially worsening inequality.

Question

The proposed reforms to personal independence payment unjustly target disabled people in a cost of living crisis. Will the Minister make representations to scrap informal observations to any PIP changes?

Answer from Mims Davies

We want to understand how best to target support for disabled people and those with health conditions. Providing the right support to people who need it most is key. We must ensure that disabled people feel understood and have a voice, urging them to be part of the consultation.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific ask regarding informal observations in PIP changes.

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Q3 Alan Brown SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Parkinson's UK has raised concerns about changes to the work capability assessment. The Minister agreed to meet the organisation in November but there has been no follow-up.

Question

Will she step up to the plate and meet Parkinson's UK to hear directly its concerns about the changes to welfare reform for those suffering from Parkinson's?

Answer from Mims Davies

I recently met people who were diagnosed with Parkinson's early and am happy to meet more broadly with Parkinson's UK. I engage with advocates for disabled people at events in the House, and will pick up the meeting soon if not already scheduled.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific commitment or timeline for the meeting.

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Q4 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities found that the UK Government failed to take all appropriate measures to address violations of human rights for disabled people.

Question

Will the Minister confirm whether an equality impact assessment has been carried out on the proposed welfare reforms, and if so, can we expect it to be made public?

Answer from Mims Davies

I will write to the hon. Lady on that question. We are committed to ensuring that the UK is one of the best places to live and work as a disabled person, listening to disabled people, stopping scaremongering, and understanding their needs.

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny an equality impact assessment and did not provide information about making it public.

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