Mind responds to benefits bill - "this shambolic process has broken trust"
Tuesday, 01 July 2025
Mind
After a series of last-minute changes to the UK government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Bill, it has passed its second reading in parliament. Significant concessions include dropping all proposed changes to PIP from the Bill until the Timms review has taken place.
Responding to the outcome of the vote, Dr Sarah Hughes, chief executive of Mind, said:
“After months of campaigning, the UK Government has started to listen to disabled people, charities who represent them and its own MPs. However, this is not job done, with drastic cuts to Universal Credit for people who are too unwell to work still planned to go ahead.
“While these last-minute concessions will bring a degree of relief to hundreds of thousands of disabled people, this shambolic process has broken trust. Some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including people already struggling with their mental health, have needlessly gone through turmoil. We have seen this first-hand with an increase in calls to Mind’s helplines. Meaningful consultation with disabled people is where this process should have started, and the Government’s PIP review must be an opportunity for a renewed approach to policymaking that is based on evidence and the reality of people’s lives.
“The Government must now build upon today and halt this Bill in its entirety, and instead meaningfully consult with disabled people to properly define what good reform of the benefits system looks like. Only then can we hope to create a support system that is fair and fit for purpose.”
