Mike Penning Confirms Government Targets
The Government insist there are no targets to remove people from disability benefits, but in Committee questions last Wednesday, 11 December, Mike Penning, Minister For Disabled People, was asked:
Q55 Stephen Lloyd: Thank you. In December 2012, the Department estimated that by the time the reassessment was complete, 55% of the total 1.75 million existing DLA claimants would receive either no award or a decreased award as a result of reassessment for PIP. Does that still remain the Department’s estimate of the likely outcome of DLA reassessment? You said in 2012 that 55% of the total 1.75 million existing DLA recipients either were going to receive a decrease, or not be moved on to PIP. Is that still the sort of percentage you are looking at?
Note his answer:
Mike Penning: Yes. That is exactly what we will be looking at. The crucial thing about that—and we will come on to this in a moment, I am sure—is the amount of face-to-face assessments that are done. They were just not done before, and that is the 10%.
So readers, not only did he confirm Government targets for disability benefits but he also confirmed that face to face assessments, the source of such fear for disabled people and carers, are crucial to cutting 10% of claimants!
Your words, Sir, your words.
Oral evidence: Personal Independence Payment implementation
