Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

PIP: Number of Claimants

Monday 26 January 2026 · 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 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The number of personal independence payment (PIP) claimants has increased from 2 million before the pandemic to over 3 million and is projected to exceed 4 million by the end of the decade.
  • The Minister offered to review a specific case of a constituent whose entitlement to PIP was withdrawn, mentioning the opportunity for mandatory reconsideration and appeal.
  • The Minister acknowledged a correlation between NHS waiting lists and PIP claimants but noted the recent decline in NHS waiting lists and the commitment to fair PIP assessments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Benefits & Welfare
Context

There were 2 million working-age personal independence payment (PIP) claimants before the pandemic, which has now increased to over 3 million and is projected to exceed 4 million by the end of the decade.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential implications for policies of trends in the number of claimants of the personal independence payment?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

There were 2 million working-age personal independence payment (PIP) claimants before the pandemic, which has now increased to over 3 million and is projected to exceed 4 million by the end of the decade. My review will aim to make sure that PIP is fair and fit for the future.

Answered
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Q2 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent named Darren, suffering from a congenital heart condition and other health issues, had his entitlement to personal independence payment withdrawn despite being unable to work.

Question

One of my constituents in Abbots Langley, Darren, suffers from a very complicated congenital heart condition which significantly restricts his ability to perform everyday tasks including work. Despite that, Darren has recently had his entitlement to personal independence payment withdrawn. As Darren now awaits a heart transplant, can the Minister outline what steps his Department will take to ensure that Darren and his family receive the necessary financial support during this stressful time?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate, I have not seen the details of that particular case, but I would be happy to have a look at it if he would like me to. There is, of course, the opportunity for mandatory reconsideration and in due course for appeal, but I would be happy to look at those details.

Partly answered

How: I Have Not Seen The Details Of That Particular Case

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Q3 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
NHS Benefits & Welfare
Context

There is a strong correlation between NHS waiting lists and the number of personal independence payment (PIP) claimants.

Question

When the data is segmented, there is a strong correlation between NHS waiting lists and the number of claimants of personal independence payments. So what steps is the Minister taking to ensure that those people who are unable to work because they are on an NHS waiting list are having their health optimised so that they can engage with employment and be fast-tracked through the system?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

My hon. Friend will welcome, as I do, the dramatic record fall in waiting lists that has been recently reported, but of course we need to make further progress in reducing waiting lists and we are determined that the assessment for PIP will be fair to everybody. As I have mentioned, the steering group will meet for the first time over two days at the end of this week, and I know that everyone on that group will be focused on ensuring that we can deliver a fair system for those who need it.

Partly answered

How: My Hon. Friend Will Welcome The Dramatic Record Fall In Waiting Lists

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Q4 Helen Whately Con Faversham and Mid Kent
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Half a million more people have gone on to personal independence payment since the right hon. Gentleman became Disability Minister, and the sickness benefits bill is heading up to £100 billion a year by the end of this decade.

Question

Since the right hon. Gentleman became Disability Minister, half a million more people have gone on to PIP, and the sickness benefits bill is heading up to £100 billion a year by the end of this decade. We know that his review is not due to serve up any savings, but there must come a point where even he would say that the country cannot afford this. Does he have any ambition to make welfare savings?

Answer from The Minister for Social Security and Disability (Sir Stephen Timms)

We have already made some important changes. For example, we have removed a serious disincentive to work that was created in the universal credit system by the last Government. That has gone, thanks to the changes in the Universal Credit Act 2025, which finished its passage last summer. Those changes will take effect in April. We do have a broken system—the hon. Lady is absolutely right about that—but it is the system that was left behind by the last Government; and, yes, we are determined to fix it.

Partly answered

How: We Do Have A Broken System—The Hon. Lady Is Absolutely Right About That

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