Dear All thank you for your support with this petition and helping it reach 2027 Signatures so far with only 473 more signatures to go to the 2500 Mark!

Please see below the Email Response I received from Jack Rankin MP for Windsor regarding the Labour PIP and UC Timms Review Consultation:

Dear Varun Shori,

Thank you for your email and for setting out your circumstances so clearly. I recognise the seriousness of the conditions you are managing and understand why the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment and related support are causing concern.

You are right to highlight the importance of PIP and the health element of Universal Credit in helping people meet the additional costs associated with long-term conditions and disabilities. For many, these payments are essential to maintaining independence and day-to-day stability.

As I noted previously, the Government has not yet set out the full detail of its proposals which it should have had ready on coming to Government. It has instead outsourced this to the Timms Review and I note the concerns, in the article you shared, that this is a loaded consultation – this does not bode well for successful reform and is typical of this government’s approach to welfare reform so far.

It is important that any reforms are judged carefully once they are formally announced. I share your concern that changes must not be rushed or implemented in a way that risks causing hardship for those who rely on this support.

I believe that welfare reform is necessary in ensuring that this nation’s finances are sustainably managed.  Those who can work should work without financial assistance from the state. However, there are some who cannot and as such PIP serves as a vital lifeline for those individuals.

Your points about the role PIP plays in enabling independent living are well made. I will take these into account when reviewing the Government’s proposals, particularly in relation to how assessments are conducted and how eligibility is determined for those with serious neurological and physical conditions.

Once the proposals are published, I will scrutinise them closely and will raise concerns where there is a risk that individuals could be adversely affected. I will also continue to press the Government to ensure that people with disabilities are supported to live independent and fulfilling lives.

Thank you again for writing to me on this important issue.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Rankin MP
Windsor