The Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system has been condemned as "not fit for purpose" by a major review into its effectiveness. The Timms Review's interim report paints a stark picture of a benefit that is failing to meet the needs of millions of disabled people in the UK.
Launched last year, the review aimed to ensure PIP remains fair and effective in a changing world, supporting disabled individuals towards better health, living standards, and independence. To do this, it drew on feedback from an astonishing 38,000 responses to its Call for Evidence, alongside workshops and engagement with disabled people and experts.
While the report acknowledges PIP's vital role as a cash benefit for many, helping to offset the extra costs of disability, it also reveals how the system can inadvertently create barriers. Many respondents reported that PIP hinders their full participation in work, social, and community life, particularly those with fluctuating or less visible conditions.
A staggering 90% of respondents described the assessment criteria as "dehumanising", "degrading", and "stressful". The report also highlighted inconsistencies in the use of supporting evidence and a pervasive lack of trust in the system. The review states that this needs to be rebuilt for both claimants and taxpayers.
Introduced in 2013, PIP has never undergone a full review despite a notable increase in disability prevalence – from under 17% of the working-age population in 2013/14 to 24% today, equating to around 10 million people. This rise is particularly marked among young people and those with mental health conditions.
The steering group for the Timms Review will now continue to gather evidence and move into the next phase of designing and testing recommendations for change. Final recommendations are expected to be published this autumn, alongside the conclusions of the Milburn Review, which examines the increase in young people not in education, employment, or training.