Alison McGovern, Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley
Photo by ITV

DWP Minister Grilled by Susanna Reid, Forced to Admit PIP Change After Dodging Question 3 Times

A government minister has finally addressed a critical issue affecting over 3.3 million individuals reliant on Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) after persistent inquiries from Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) had previously alluded to a “strong case to change the system of health and disability benefits across Great Britain,” raising fears that the benefits budget might be targeted for cuts amid Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ challenges with rising UK borrowing costs.

During the January 22, 2025 episode of Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid pressed Minister for Employment Alison McGovern on the potential reduction of PIP payments. “I want to ask you about another group of people who feel like you’re going to take money away from them, and these aren’t fraudsters, these are people with disabilities living on PIPs personal independence payments,” Reid questioned, highlighting the anxiety among beneficiaries, reported by the Mirror.

The segment also featured disability campaigner and actor Sam Renke, who voiced her apprehensions: “I guess that our government doesn’t see us as a drain and a burden, and instead of actually making us feel like we’re living on eggshells, actually invest in us, rather than, you know, the of us constantly living in the fear of things being taken away, it’s as simple as that.”

Reid emphasized the tension by quoting Renke, saying, “Sam Renke says every time a brown envelope comes through her door, she thinks it’s going to be your department saying we’re cutting your PIP.” In response, Minister McGovern acknowledged the concerns, stating that a process of “reassessing people’s payments” is underway.

“So I understand that I’ve listened to my own constituents who are fearful and don’t trust DWP and a lot of the changes that we want to make is to help and support people in a better way so that we can deal with that. I want disabled people to have the right to work and the right to dignity and respect, like everybody else.”

When pressed further by Reid, “Are you going to reassess PIP payments for people?”, McGovern reiterated the government’s commitment to reform. “We have already put forward in a white paper how we’re changing our employment support service so that we can help people move into work.” However, she maintained that comprehensive changes would come through a forthcoming green paper, designed to involve disabled people in the conversation.

“We will bring forward our own proposals and we have a green paper coming. The Minister for Disabled people, Stephen Timms is working with disabled people and establishing a new panel so that we can listen to people properly as we do this.”

Richard Madeley also joined the questioning, asking, “Are you gonna cut them?” to which McGovern responded, “Well, we will bring forward a green paper to discuss what the future will be because at the moment the system doesn’t work for anybody. The work capability assessment that’s part of the Universal Credit system is a failure. It doesn’t work for people who need to access that support. With regards to PIP, it’s not working either, so we need to change the system.”

McGovern concluded by emphasizing the importance of respect and support for disabled individuals, stating, “But we want to do that with disabled people and that’s why we’re, listening, and we will put forward our ideas in a green paper that we can talk to people about and that so that we can make this system work. But above all else, we’ve got to make sure that disabled people have respect and can work and that we, as Sam said, quite rightly, value their contribution like everybody else in this society.”

As the debate continues, the future of PIP payments remains uncertain, leaving millions of disabled individuals in a state of unease about potential changes to their essential support.

Related posts

Viewers Slam Emma Reynolds’ GMB Interview as a Political “Car Crash”

Katherine Langford

Rihanna on feeling insecure in iconic Met Gala 2015 dress: ‘Felt like a clown’

Amelia Dimoldenberg

Emotional Throwback: Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes Witness This Morning Guest Break Down in Tears

Jenifer Jain