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Following the announcement that the next general election will take place on July 4th, there is already speculation about the contents of the manifesto.
Labour has already put forward some proposals for what the party’s plans for Personal Independence Allowance (PIP) and Universal Credit might look like, while the Conservatives announced plans to reform a number of benefits in the final months before the election.
While the exact details of the manifesto are yet to be confirmed, announcements and plans already released by both parties are likely to form a key part of their election pledges.
PIP conservative planning
Last month, the Conservative Party launched a new consultation as part of its plans to overhaul the PIP system.
A Greens document published as part of the consultation revealed ministers want to replace the current system with a six-tiered benefit system that is more focused on individual needs.
The proposed tiered system would be based on a Norwegian model known as “basic benefits”, which would give people monthly cash payments at one of six different rates depending on the severity of their condition, equipment, clinical needs and other support.
The newly announced plan is just one of several options being considered as part of Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s promised overhaul of the welfare system, which could see benefits reduced for people with anxiety and depression – a move that has already sparked criticism.
In a speech in April, the Prime Minister argued there was a “moral case” for reviewing the benefits system and the Government warned that numbers and costs were rising sharply.
He said he wanted the assessments to be “more accurate about the type and severity of mental illness that should be covered”, suggesting recipients would need to provide a letter from their GP outlining the nature of their illness and the extra costs it would entail.
The government’s consultation document suggests it aims to extend the PIP eligibility period to better understand the impact of long-term illnesses and identify short-term illnesses from which patients can “fully recover”.
Mr Sunak also said the government wanted to consider whether to stop ongoing payments to claimants and replace them with a lump sum linked to the specific costs incurred to improve their condition.
Modest plan for other perks
Under plans announced by the Conservatives last month, Universal Credit recipients who are not looking for work would have their benefits stopped completely after 12 months.
The government had previously said it would crack down on people not engaging with the Work Coach service, but this announcement confirms that their applications will be rejected and all benefits will be cancelled.
People who only work full-time for half a week will also need to look for additional work instead of claiming benefits.
The government has also accelerated the process of moving people from old so-called legacy benefits onto Universal Credit.
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) process, which considers whether a person is suitable for a job, is also being strengthened with a view to eventually replacing it.
Ministers confirmed a previously announced commitment that people with less severe symptoms will be encouraged to look for work rather than being banned from doing so.
The government said it remains committed to completely abolishing the WCA and replacing it with a “new personalized approach”.
It previously said the changes to the WCA would only apply to new claims and that the reforms would take place from 2025 onwards.
PIP Work Plan
Labour has said “big changes” to the welfare system will be needed if it wins the next general election, and has already set out plans to get more disabled people into work.
Labor MP and shadow employment minister Alison McGovern has admitted that the welfare system needs “major reforms”, replacing employment agencies with more personalized and community-based support for unemployed people. He said that such measures are necessary.
The writing is I Mr McGovern said earlier this month that Labor had “long called for reform of PIP” and that any reforms must not only address the backlog of claims but also make assessment decisions more accurate.
But Mr McGovern added that “every aspect of disability support” must “help people get into work”.
He also said changes to PIP were needed to address the backlog of applications as well as ensure assessment decisions were more accurate.
But the party said disabled people needed support to get back to work, and had previously called for better integration of employment and health services.
Labor plans for other employee benefits
McGovern also said: I Last month Labour said it would overhaul employment agencies to give people more tailored and localised help and to end the “tick box culture” to achieve this.
The party has previously advocated for better integration of employment and health services to address the number of people unemployed due to illness.
“We believe work is good for everyone — we are all better off for the autonomy and self-determination that good work gives us,” she writes.
“That applies to disabled people as well as non-disabled people. Now is the time for change. Look for a Labor government that can end the chaos and plan for the future.”
Labour has said “living on benefits will not be an option” if it wins power and has set out plans for how to reduce the number of young people out of work, education or training.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall promised in a March speech that sick pay legislation would be Labour’s domain and hinted that the party would make tough changes to Universal Credit.
Her predecessor Jonathan Ashworth made similar comments in January, saying Labor would “fundamentally reform” the Universal Credit system, “simplify” the system and ensure people get jobs. “It strengthens motivation.”
He said the party’s proposals were “part of a fundamentally different new approach” that would “put wellbeing and safety above all else when supporting people into work”.