Earlier this month, the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions did not rule out introducing means-testing for disability benefits in the Autumn Statement, due to be delivered on Thursday. Mel Stride could not give ‘categorical assurance’ that he would not introduce means-testing for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance and Attendance Allowance.
And last week, Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove said that no assessment had been made of the administrative costs of introducing a means test for disability benefits. However, in response to a query from Labour MP, Marsha De Cordova this week, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) minister has now put the matter to bed with a clear, definitive response.
Mr Pursglove said: “We [DWP] have no plans to means test Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).”