Martin Lewis issues stark response to DWP PIP crackdown as he says 'forget it'

Martin Lewis has issued a stark response regarding new government proposals to crack down on disability benefits. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has tabled new plans to reform the benefits system which could impact millions of disabled people.

The plans, which come from a government green paper published this week and are at an early stage, could see regular personal independence payments (PIP) replaced with one-off grants or vouchers to cover costs of things like home adaptations or appliances.

It follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak saying the benefits system "isn’t working in the way it was intended" but the plans have drawn some criticism from some charities and experts who have labelled them a “reckless assault” which could plunge more disabled people, into poverty. To get the latest money stories straight to your inbox twice a week sign up to our newsletter here.

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This week DWP minister Mel Stride addressed claims some mental health conditions could be taken out of PIP claims. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Alison McGovern, said: “In recent weeks, the Secretary of State has decided to speak out of both sides of his mouth. On the one hand he says ‘I am grateful for today’s more open approach to mental health’, and with the same breath he tells us ‘there is danger that this has gone too far’.

"He wants it both ways, he thinks that openness about mental health is good but then says the very thing that brings back the stigma. Every time (Mr Stride) speaks, he makes it less likely that people will be open about their mental health. He says some health conditions can be taken out of PIP assessments - which conditions are we talking about?”

Mr Stride refused to confirm which conditions could no longer be eligible, saying said that Ms McGovern's concerns would be raised during the 12-week consultation period for the new proposals. He previously suggested to the Times that people with "milder health conditions" might see their entitlements change and told the Commons: “I think we should explore whether that approach we have at the moment is the best one in terms of outcomes.

"We have much to learn from the experiences of other countries around the world who have a similar benefit but go about the organisation and application of that benefit in a different way," he said. "New Zealand, for example, does indeed make payments based on invoices submitted for equipment by those who are receiving the benefit; Norway, for example doesn’t have assessments in the way that we do, they rely more on medical evidence provided by medical practitioners.”

Despite the uncertainty, Martin Lewis has issued a message urging people to stay calm. Posting to his 2.8m followers on Tuesday, the MoneySavingExpert founder stressed the proposals were at an early stage, with a number of question marks, and was unlikely to be implemented any time soon.

"I want to say something to the people with mental health conditions that have got in touch with me worried / panicked about the govt news on possible benefits changes... NOTHING HAS HAPPENED," he wrote.

"The govt has put out a green paper. That is an EARLY STAGE consultation document. After that may come a white paper. These things are not quick, if they happen, and this is a general election year - so whether it will happen at a question.

"This type of debate is given attention to create political news and put clear water between parties in an election year. Sadly doing that in the area of mental health, can have a real human impact, terrifying people about changes that may never happen

"So if you're worried about it, while I know its easy to say and hard to do, forget it - for now it is still political hot air."