More than 1.3 million people claiming Personal Independence Payments (Pip) are at risk of losing support under new government rules, according to an analysis by the Liberal Democrats.
Research conducted by the Lib Dems, based on government data issued in response to a written parliamentary question, reveals that 1.1 million standard-rate Pip claimants and 200,000 enhanced-rate claimants could lose at least some of the payment.
The planned reforms will tighten the eligibility criteria for Pip, which can help people with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions with their extra living costs. Under the new system, claimants will be required to score a minimum of four points in at least one of the ten daily living questions, such as on washing and cooking, to qualify for support.
The Liberal Democrat analysis suggests that under these rules, which would come into effect from November 2026, 87 per cent of current standard-rate claimants and 13 per cent of enhanced-rate claimants for the daily living component would be at risk of losing this support.
The analysis also identified the constituencies with the highest number of claimants who could be affected. Liverpool Walton was found to have the most, with 5,250 people at risk, followed by Blackpool South with 5,060, and Liverpool Riverside with 4,940.
The constituencies of senior government ministers are also set to be significantly impacted. In prime minister Keir Starmer’s seat of Holborn and St Pancras, 2,890 claimants could lose out. In the chancellor Rachel Reeves’ constituency, Leeds West and Pudsey, the number is 2,860, and in work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall’s Leicester West seat, 3,260 claimants are at risk.
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The Liberal Democrats warned that many of the most vulnerable were “already on the brink” and called on the government to abandon the plans.
Liberal Democrat work and pensions spokesperson, Steve Darling MP, said: “Many of the most vulnerable in our society are already on the brink and these figures reveal the scale of the misery that could be inflicted if these cuts go ahead.
“Countless people rely on this support to stay in work and just go about their daily lives. To strip that away from them is not only senseless but cruel.
“We need to see the government realise that this has the potential to devastate people’s lives and make it much harder to stay in work. Ministers must change course to avoid the real pain that could be inflicted.”
The government has previously argued that the reforms are necessary to make the system fairer and more sustainable, and to ensure that support is targeted at those with the most significant needs.
Speaking to reporters on his way to the G7 summit in Canada, the prime minister recommitted to the reforms.
Asked about the prospect of a rebellion, with reports suggesting as many as 170 MPs could oppose the plans, Starmer insisted: “We’ve got to reform the welfare system.”
He said: “Everybody agrees with that proposition, so we’ve got to do that basic reform. It doesn’t work for those that need support and help into work, and it doesn’t work for the taxpayer.
“So, it’s got to be reformed. The principles remain the same; those who can work should work. Those who need support into work should have that support into work, which I don’t think they are getting at the moment.
“Those who are never going to be able to work should be properly supported and protected, and that includes not being reassessed and reassessed. So, they are the principles. We need to do reform and we will be getting on with that reform when the bill comes.”
It comes as a separate report from the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on poverty said some claimants who will be made ineligible for Pip face losing £886 per month.
Green Party MP Sian Berry and Labour peer Ruth Lister, who serve as co-chairs of the APPG, said: “Disabled people already face unacceptable levels of hardship. These proposals won’t remove barriers to employment — they will add new ones by stripping people of the income they rely on to survive.
“The evidence is clear: these cuts will deepen inequality and force people further into crisis. We urge the government to listen to those most affected and change course immediately.”
Josh Self is Editor of Politics.co.uk, follow him on Bluesky here.
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