The head of the DWP has not ruled out the possibility of means testing people with more than one disability. Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, did not reject the idea when questioned in the House of Commons this week.
Mr Stride faced questions about state pension annual uprating, cost of living support payments, pension credit take-up, and benefits. The new DWP boss reiterated information that was already available to the public, and stated no new information on the state pension and benefits uprating will be given out before the Autumn Statement on November 17, reports Somerset Live.
Another question remains unanswered about disability benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance for children, Attendance Allowance, and even Carers Allowance - are they going to be means tested in the future? For millions of people across the country, the answer could make a significant difference to the amount of money in their wallets at a time when money is already tight for many.
Shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, Jonathan Ashworth, asked Mr Stride: “Can he give a categorical assurance that, in the Autumn Statement, he will rule out means-testing Personal Independence Payments, Carer’s Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance for Children?”
“The Prime Minister tells us that we do not need a general election because the 2019 manifesto gives him and the Conservative party a mandate," he added. "Given that that manifesto committed to the Triple Lock, why can he not give pensioners the reassurance that they deserve?"
Mr Stride did not offer an answer on this question, instead giving an indirect response, saying: "“The right hon. Gentleman is inviting me, in a whole host of areas, to break with what has been a very long-standing and quite correct convention that Ministers simply do not provide a running commentary about what may or may not be in a major fiscal event.
"“However, he has my personal assurance that when and as it is appropriate to pass him information of that kind, he will be the first to know.”
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