Damian Green, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has refused to allow MPs to vote on the changes to PIP, which come into effect today.
Green is reported as saying that to do so is “above my pay grade”.
He also acknowledged “a handful of people” could now have their PIP payments cut, having been awarded higher sums in the last few months.
[Source: Independent]
Background
The Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/194) make changes to PIP Activities Managing therapy or monitoring a health condition and Planning and following a journey from 16 March 2017.
These regulations were ‘subject to negative resolution procedure’, which means they automatically become law without a vote. However, it is possible move a motion to annul a negative resolution regulation (known as a ‘prayer’) which if it is accepted means the regulation has to be debated and voted on. Tim Farron tabled early day motion EDM 985 which said:
“That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the Social Security (Personal Independence Payment) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I., 2017, No. 194), dated 22 February 2017, a copy of which was laid before this House on 23 February, be annulled.”
Despite 149 MPs signing up to this motion Get your MP to sign up to this EDM, Damian Green has refused a debate.
You can download copies of our PIP guide to claiming, showing both the new and old rules.