Problems growing Budget falling
We can safely say benefits policy isn’t always in tune with information from those who meet claimants everyday.
Changes to disability benefit confirmed in the Budget are expected to mean a reduction of £4.4 billion in personal independence payments in the current parliament (up to 2020).
The chancellor introduced the change saying “we will continue to deliver sensible reforms to keep Britain living within its means”.
24 hours earlier Citizens Advice said in October to December last year there had been “significant increases in enquiries. PIP is now the biggest benefit (and overall) issue at 80,149 and is up 51% from Q3 last year”. (Advice Trends 2015-16 Q3) Chart below.
Yesterday in a national response to the Budget we said “People sought our help with 287,000 PIP issues in 2015 – making it the most common issue we give advice on”.