Disability benefits letters urge changes to Pip assessment and terminology
7 reported
In a series of letters published by The Guardian, several contributors respond to a recent editorial on disability benefits and the Personal Independence Payment (Pip) system. One letter writer, who contributed to Sir Stephen Timms’ review on behalf of family carers for those with serious mental illnesses, supports a substantial revision of the Pip assessment process, calling it daunting for applicants. Another writer, a member of the House of Lords, criticizes the use of the term “welfare,” arguing it is a divisive American term that makes it harder to resist cuts. A third letter states that the benefits system should be informed by the experiences of those dependent on it, with “nothing about us without us” as a defining feature. A final letter warns against erasing post-Covid conditions from the narrative, citing decades of neglect and lack of research funding for post-viral illnesses.
What’s reported
One letter writer contributed to Sir Stephen Timms’ review on behalf of family carers dealing with those with serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
The writer supports a substantial revision of the Pip assessment process, calling it daunting for applicants.
The writer states that those with longstanding, serious mental illness who cannot enter the workforce should receive Pip automatically upon receipt of required medical evidence.
Ruth Lister, a Labour member of the House of Lords, criticizes the use of the term “welfare,” calling it a divisive American term.
Lister notes that the minister of state for employment, Diana Johnson, described social security as “the bedrock of our welfare state.”
Luke Howard of London says the system should be informed by the experiences of those dependent on benefits.
Katie Medd of Devon warns against erasing post-Covid conditions from the narrative, citing neglect and lack of research funding for post-viral illnesses.
Key figures
Susan Randall, Cambridge (letter writer)
Sir Stephen Timms (reviewer of Pip)
Ruth Lister, Labour, House of Lords (letter writer)
Diana Johnson, minister of state for employment
Luke Howard, London (letter writer)
Katie Medd, Devon (letter writer)
Sources: The Guardian
