
11/07/2025
Today, I held my second forum with local organisations to discuss the Government’s changes to the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Universal Credit Bill, and to see what actions I can take to continue supporting affected people in St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire.
The group acknowledged that the Government’s decision to remove changes to PIP eligibility activities and descriptors was positive, but there is great concern about the PIP assessment review which is being led by the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms MP, over the next year.
There were also concerns raised about the impact of changes planned to the eligibility criteria for the Universal Credit health element, which will create a two-tier system with new applicants from November 2026 being assessed on different criteria, even if they have the same conditions as those currently receiving it.
Other discussions included:
💬 The need for proper co-production on welfare reform - not just consultation on the changes, but real work alongside people in receipt of PIP and the local organisations who work with the most vulnerable people every day.
💬 Wording of the Universal Credit health element eligibility criteria - people with fluctuating conditions, such as MS and arthritis, are often not treated fairly as they do not fit qualify as a 'constant'
💬 Reports that the basic rate of Universal Credit is not enough for people the live on - Cambridge City Foodbank told me that hunger is making people unwell and exacerbating other health conditions.
💬 The limbo that many people feel they are in - they feel out of control of their lives and finances, and the fear of having PIP removed is preventing people from being independent, according to one young man from Switch Now.
Over parliamentary recess, I will be working with my Liberal Democrat colleagues on how we can push for better co-production of welfare reforms while keeping vulnerable people safe. Testimony from these local organisations, as well as from the many messages and emails I have received from constituents, are incredibly valuable in pushing for a fair deal for disabled people and their carers.
Thank you Citizen Hub for hosting us again, and thank you to all the organisations who participated and continue to do such fantastic work helping those in need in our community.
Cambridge & District Citizens Advice; Citizens Advice Rural Cambridgeshire; Money Advice St Neots (MAST); Cambridgeshire ACRE; Cambridge City Foodbank; Carers UK; Switch Now; MS Society UK; Disability Huntingdonshire