NSUN stands in solidarity and rage with Disabled people after yesterday evening’s (01/07) chaotic vote on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill in the House of Commons.
NSUN has been campaigning with other Disabled People’s Organisations to kill the Bill, including by backing the reasoned amendment tabled by Rachael Maskell and signing a joint statement by 86 disability and human rights groups that urged MPs to vote down the Bill. Unfortunately, the reasoned amendment was voted down, and the Bill itself passed by 335 votes to 260.
The last minute concession to the Bill – a verbal agreement to remove clause five (the section relating to reforms to PIP) from the Bill at committee and delaying any changes to the PIP process or eligibility until after the Timms review – is the direct result of tireless campaigning by Disabled people and their organisations in recent weeks. However, the way that it was passed – with MPs expressing uncertainty just before the vote about what they were even voting for after a series of major changes to the Bill – shows callous disdain for the lives of Disabled people. The Bill should have been withdrawn in its entirety.
The Timms review is a pending investigation into the PIP process being conducted by Stephen Timms, the Minister of State for Social Security and Disability. This review is currently due by autumn 2026, although some people are now calling for it to be finished sooner. It is important to remember that no changes to the PIP process or eligibility criteria will come into force before the review is finished.
We heard a lot at last night’s debate about the need for the Timms review to involve co-production. But as we wrote about in 2023, real co-production goes much further than simply offering a seat at the table. It is vital that co-production through the Timms review meaningfully involves Disabled people, putting power in the hands of those whose lives will be most impacted. We have seen the violence of the Government’s rubber-stamp consultations so far and demand genuine co-production rather than inadequate and tokenistic consultation on an already-decided course of action.
Despite the climbdown on changes to PIP eligibility, we must remember that the Bill still seeks to limit or reduce the health element of Universal Credit, and that this government remains willing to attack Disabled people. If the Bill stays as it is, the health component of Universal Credit will be frozen at its current rate from April 2026 and reduced by £47 per week for those who apply after that point.
Protecting current UC recipients while cutting the entitlement of future claimants like this is a shameful attempt to divide the Disabled community and stifle solidarity. We will continue to organise with DPO allies, push for the rights-based reform which our deadly social security system needs, and ensure there are electoral consequences for those who go after Disabled people in this way.
Because of how the Bill has been classified, it will face reduced scrutiny in the House of Lords and is likely to become law. This would mean that the changes to Universal Credit would take effect from April 2026.
We will provide updated information if any of this changes; the Bill is due to have its third reading on Wednesday 9th July 2025, and we will continue to work to oppose it. In the meantime, below is a list of resources from trusted organisations to help you to understand what these changes might mean for you and find different kinds of support.
- A summary of where things stand on changes to PIP and Universal Credit from Benefits and Work
- A collection of advice services on welfare, health and disability-related matters, compiled by Disability Rights UK
- Guidance on the PIP application process from Turn2us
- A guide on how to challenge a PIP decision from Citizens Advice
- A guide on how to appeal against a Universal Credit decision from Citizens Advice
You can find details of all of NSUN’s recent work against the welfare cuts here on our website.