The number of individuals receiving sickness handouts has increased by 300,000 during Keir Starmer's first year in office, while the proportion of face-to-face welfare assessments has been cut in half under the Labour government. Figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveal that 81% of paper-based reviews for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are approved, compared to only 42% for in-person consultations.
This trend occurs despite Labour's pledge to increase the share of face-to-face PIP assessments to 30%. Shadow work and pensions spokesman Helen Whately criticized the current system, stating, "Sickness benefits should be for people with serious disabilities and illnesses." She added, "A steep rise in claims has coincided with the collapse in face-to-face assessments, but the UK hasn't suddenly got much sicker. Clearly the system isn't working." Whately argued that only by restoring in-person assessments can the government ensure support reaches those who genuinely need it.
Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson described the ease of claiming benefits as "absolute madness," asserting that the government is aware of the broken system and the spiraling welfare bill but is making it easier for people to remain on benefits without challenge. Data obtained by the Conservative Party indicates that face-to-face assessments have fallen from 8% of all assessments to 4.8%. In-person assessments now constitute less than 5% of initial decisions on claims.
Assessments for benefits can be conducted in person, over the phone, via video call, or through a paper-based review. According to sources close to him, Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham is reportedly prepared to make difficult decisions to reduce the benefits bill. However, Labour's commitment to addressing welfare spending has faced scrutiny, particularly with new regulations implemented from June 2, which extended the review period for PIP claims to a minimum of four years for the majority of claimants aged 25 and over.