Campaign for Disability Justice – webinar to discuss the call for evidence from the Timms PIP Review

Summary of key takeaways

  • A review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is happening now, led by the Minister for Disability, Sir Stephen Timms. 
  • This review could shape the future of PIP for years to come. 
  • Disabled people, carers, and supporters are encouraged to send in their views and experiences of the PIP process. 
  • The deadline is 28 May. 
  • Your voice matters - the more people who respond, the harder it is for the Government to ignore Disabled people’s reality. 
  • You do not have to use the online survey - you can reply by email or post instead. 
    • By post: 
      The Timms Review 
      Disability and Health Strategy Directorate  
      Department for Work and Pensions 
      Floor Two  
      Caxton House  
      London 
      SW1H 9NA 
  • You don’t have to be 'perfect' - what matters is what you want to say.

You could include:

  • How PIP helps you (or the person you care for) in daily life 
  • Problems with assessments, evidence, or decisions 
  • Stress, delays, or harm caused by the process 
  • Why PIP matters to you 
  • What would make the system fairer or easier 

It’s okay to:

  • Share your story 
  • Be clear and practical 
  • Mix personal experience with clear points 

 

Meeting notes in detail

What was this webinar about?

This online event was run by the Campaign for Disability Justice (hosted by Inclusion Barnet) to explain: 

  • What the Timms Review of PIP is 
  • Why it is happening 
  • What it might change 
  • How Disabled people and carers can have their say 
  • What support is available 

People also asked lots of questions and shared real experiences of PIP - both good and bad. 
 

Why is there a review of PIP?

Last year, the government tried to change PIP in ways that would have made it harder for many Disabled people to get support. 

Disabled people and disability organisations strongly pushed back - and those proposals were eventually dropped, as not enough MPs would back them. 

However, the government went ahead with a review of PIP anyway. That review is now the main way future changes to PIP could be decided, which makes it very important. 
 

What will the review look at?

The review is wide‑ranging. It includes: 

  • How PIP assessments work 
  • How evidence is collected and judged 
  • How decisions are made 
  • 'Mandatory Reconsideration' (looking at the decision again) and appeals 
  • Whether parts of the PIP system need to change 

It is not just about paperwork - it is about how the system affects people’s lives. 
 

Are Disabled people involved?

Yes - but Disabled People’s Organisations are watching closely. 

  • The review has a steering group, most of whom are Disabled people. 
  • There is also a wider consultation so Disabled people, carers and organisations can send in their views. That is what the 'call for evidence' is about. 
  • Campaigners stressed that frontline advice workers (who see the system’s problems every day) must be listened to. 

The 'Call for evidence': How can you take part? 

The government is asking for evidence about people’s experiences of PIP. 

You can respond in whatever way works best for you: 

 

The deadline is 28 May. 

Some concerns were raised about the online survey: 

  • Some questions push ideas about 'affordability' and about work that pre-judge cost or don’t reflect what PIP is for 
  • PIP is about extra costs of disability - not whether someone is in work 

Because of this, many people may prefer to send their response by email or post, using their own words. 
 

What should you include in your response?

You don’t have to be 'perfect' - what matters is what you want to say

You could include:

  • How PIP helps you (or the person you care for) in daily life 
  • Problems with assessments, evidence, or decisions 
  • Stress, delays, or harm caused by the process 
  • Why PIP matters to you 
  • What would make the system fairer or easier 

It’s okay to:

  • Share your story 
  • Be clear and practical 
  • Mix personal experience with clear points 

Concerns raised by supporters 

During the meeting, people shared serious concerns, including: 

  • PIP is not 'pocket money' - for many people, it pays for food, transport, care, and essentials 
  • Assessments often do not understand mental health needs 
  • Fluctuating and lifelong conditions are not handled well 
  • Too many people are wrongly refused support and forced to appeal 
  • Appeals succeed in the majority of cases - showing first decisions are often wrong 
  • The use of AI to analyse consultation responses worries many people, because of possible built-in bias 
  • Carers’ voices also need to be heard 

Getting help 

The webinar was not designed to give one‑to‑one advice, but people were signposted to places that can help, including: 

  • Local advice services (via postcode search): Advice Local 

Live links were shared after the session and are included in these notes. 
 

What happens next? 

  • Meeting notes and links will be shared with attendees 
  • Supporters are encouraged to:  
  • Send evidence to the review before 28 May 
  • Tell carers and others they can respond too 
  • We will plan more sessions like this in future.