The majority of voters want to see the disability benefit bill cut according to exclusive polling for The i Paper.
The new poll by BMG Research found 56 per cent support replacing some PIP cash benefits for disabled claimants with services such as physiotherapy, job-finding help and training courses.
It comes as one of Britain’s most respected economists, Paul Johnson, who headed the Institute for Fiscal Studies for 15 years, said PIP need to be cut to reduce the “huge” amount spent on benefits.
The findings will add pressure for ministers to consider a more interventionist approach to the benefits system as they await the results of a major review of disability payments.
Danger of delay to welfare reforms
It also comes amid claims that Andy Burnham, who replaced Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister last month, is not expected to bring forward major welfare changes in the autumn Budget.
The Telegraph reported on Friday that No 10 is instead understood to be waiting until both the Timms and Milburn reviews have concluded before setting out its plans. The paper claimed the Milburn report was due to be published next month, but will now be delivered after the Labour Party conference in October.
Ministers will then reportedly need time to consider the findings of both reviews before bringing forward primary legislation.
The polling will sharpen the political risk of delay. A number of Labour backbenchers rebelled against the Government’s previous welfare proposals last year, underlining the sensitivity of reform within the party. However, the results also help the PM in providing backing for his plans to cut the benefits bill by tying disability benefits for young people to training or voluntary work.
But in not outlining any welfare reforms in the Budget the Chancellor John Healey will be faced with having to raise more taxes, or make cuts elsewhere.
A senior Government source told The Telegraph that Burnham could tackle “one big issue at a time”, with his immediate focus on plugging a £4.7bn hole in the defence budget rather than the benefits bill.
It was reported on Friday that Healey was considering shelving his own target of spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 20230 -the issue over which he quite Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet.
Voters open to changes
However, a No 10 source told The i Paper: “The timelines for Timms and Milburn have always been public and clear. They were always this autumn.”
The findings for The i Paper suggest that voters are open to changes that shift some support away from cash and towards practical help.
The results suggest there is support for a system that does more to help people who are able to work – including through physiotherapy, training and employment support.
The poll asked whether people would support or oppose claimants judged able to work being offered support services – such as physiotherapy, help finding a job or training courses – instead of some or all of their support being paid as cash.
The i Paper exclusively revealed in July that ministers were examining alternatives to cash payments as part of the Timms Review, the landmark examination of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) led by Sir Stephen Timms.
PIP is a non-means-tested benefit designed to help those with disabilities or long-term health conditions meet the additional costs of their condition. More than four million people currently receive the benefit, which provides claimants a maximum of £194.60 per week.
Spending on PIP is forecast to reach more than £40bn a year by 2030 without changes, after ministers were forced to shelve an earlier attempt at welfare reform last year following a backbench rebellion.
The review’s interim report, published in July, concluded that PIP is no longer fit for purpose and has failed to keep pace with changes in disability, health and work over the past decade.
The i Paper also revealed last month that polling commissioned by the Labour-aligned Good Growth Foundation found significant support among existing PIP claimants for exchanging part of their cash benefit for practical services.
Around one in three said they would give up at least £50 a week for a menu of support options, while closer to half said they would trade £20 a week.
“People don’t just want cash – they want services that will help them get on in life,” said Louisa Dollimore, director of strategy at the Good Growth Foundation.
‘Generational fault line’
The findings come alongside a separate review by former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn into why growing numbers of young people who are not in education, employment or training (Neet).
Milburn’s interim report warned of a “generational fault line” and said the number of young people classed as Neet could reach 1.25 million within five years without reform.
It found that for every £1 currently spent on employment support for young people, around £25 goes to benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the review, which is being co-produced with disabled people, is intended to ensure PIP is “fit for the future”.
:: BMG surveyed a representative sample of 1,579 GB adults between 25 and 26 August. BMG are members of the British Polling Council and abide by its rules.
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