Agenda Alliance responds to proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments

We share the widespread concerns across the sector surrounding potential changes the Government have proposed to Personal Independent Payments (PIP) to reduce spending on this benefit when claimed to support mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. Their proposals to potentially stop cash payments in favour of one-off grants, or reimbursing claimants who provide receipts for disability related purchases. This could leave women and girls with mental health challenges who claim PIP with little other support, and we are concerned that coupled with the cost-of-living crisis, these changes could have serious unintended consequences. 

Women experiencing multiple disadvantage are at increased risk of developing mental health issues. Girls are already more likely to experience conditions such as anxiety or depression, and the number of people experiencing mental ill health across the UK continues to grow. Furthermore, women and girls are more likely to experience domestic abuse, and financial independence can be critical to enabling them to live safely and independently from abuse. Research from Women’s Aid shows that 73% of women who live with and have financial links to their abusers say this is preventing them from leaving or making it harder to leave.

Additionally, our response to the Women’s and Equalities Committee Call for Evidence highlighted the significant burden of childcare costs disproportionately falling to women. Our Transforming Services for Women’s Futures survey found 67% of mothers with multiple unmet needs reported that childcare responsibilities prevented them from attending key appointments such health, social service, or criminal justice appointments.

While the Government is keen to save money on PIP, by placing pressure on those with mental health challenges back into work, women and girls already experiencing wider unmet needs will just be pushed further into poverty and disadvantage by reduced financial independence. We urge the Government to address the issues with underfunded and understaffed mental health services; to reform our Mental Health Act to ensure women and girls can access gender-, age-, trauma-, and culturally- responsive support; and to carefully consider responses to their consultation. Reducing access to PIP risks significantly escalating the issues women and girls experiencing multiple disadvantage are already facing.