Social security should be the foundation for a better life – a system that protects people’s rights, dignity and wellbeing. But what did our research team find when they looked to see if Universal Credit gives young adults the support they need?
The Poverty Alliance research intern Rachel Sowerby created this great infographic to tell the story of young adult parents’ experiences:
You can read the whole report here:
The cross-party Work and Pensions Committee has backed calls for the Government to increase Universal Credit for 66-year-olds to prevent hardship as the State Pension age rises to 67, in a report published yesterday.
The Transition to State Pension Age report, says the Government should consult on the change with a view to implementing it by the end of 2026 as a temporary measure, allowing time to develop longer-term support.
The State Pension age is already being gradually increased and will reach 67 by April 2028. A growing number of 66-year-olds may have to rely on the £425-a-month standard rate of Universal Credit for longer, despite worsening health. Pension Credit, which guarantees £1,031 a month, is only available once they reach State Pension age.
This leaves many pre-pensioners, particularly those with health issues, caring responsibilities or long histories in labour-intensive jobs, relying on the savings they may have set aside for retirement until they reach the State Pension age.
The Committee warns that when the State Pension age last rose in 2020, poverty more than doubled among people in the year approaching it, rising from 10% to 24%, putting 100,000 below the poverty line. With people now waiting a further year, and many already frail, the “impact is likely to be greater this time”.
Meanwhile, only 42% of 66 year-olds are in paid work, while almost a quarter (24%) of the poorest 60-65 year-old pre-pensioners are working while frail, which research has shown deepens health problems.
Giving further support through Universal Credit to 66-year-olds would cost £600 million of the potential £10.5 billion savings made from the rise. While the impact on efforts to boost employment may be a consideration, the report says, “impact on work incentives being outweighed by the imperative to reduce poverty”.
In the report, MPs on the Committee raise concerns about “poor policymaking”, after hearing that the most recent impact assessments for the State Pension age increase are more than a decade-old (2011 and 2013), and none are planned until after the rise is complete. This has caused a “significant gap in the Government’s understanding” of the impact of the rise.
They added that “an opportunity to inform mitigations has been missed” after the Government failed to act on committee recommendation last year in its Pensioner Poverty report to conduct an impact assessment ahead of the State Pension age rise.
Work and Pensions Committee Chair Debbie Abrahams said: “We can’t just allow people who are already struggling as they approach pension age to be forced to choose between continuing work in poor health or prolonging their poverty as they wait for their State Pension to kick in.
“This is not the later life that anyone wants or to see their loved ones endure after providing for decades.
“We should recognise that pre-pensioners have greater needs and greater barriers into employment due to ill-health, age discrimination, lack of opportunity to upskill. More than half of people are not in paid work in their mid-60s, and they’re not likely to get it if they’ve been effectively written off.
“Additional social security payments are essential in reducing the compounding effects of the lottery of life and the state pension age increase.
“The harm has already been done for some planning retirement if policymakers are using out-dated impact assessments in making the changes they are. As a result, we know there will be an impact, but we don’t know how big it will be.
“But it’s not too late; if the Government takes action quickly those who face poverty because they deplete their savings before reaching pension age can be helped.”
Personal Independence Payment is no longer fit for purpose and is failing to keep pace with how disability, health and work have changed over the past decade, the Timms Review has found.
The interim report published today (Thursday 9 July 2026) comes as part of the first comprehensive review of PIP since the benefit was introduced in 2013 and sets out the evidence gathered so far to inform recommendations for reform due this autumn.
Drawing on findings from more than 38,000 responses to the Review’s Call for Evidence, alongside workshops and engagement with disabled people, their organisations and experts, it is one of the largest co-produced reviews delivered by the government.
The report has revealed that while PIP is widely valued as a cash benefit, it is not working as intended for disabled people or wider society.
While many disabled people say that PIP is vital in helping them meet the extra costs of disability and participate in everyday life, others stated PIP creates barriers to participating fully in work, social and community life. This is particularly true for people with fluctuating conditions, less visible conditions or multiple conditions.
The process of claiming, under assessment criteria designed more than a decade ago, was viewed negatively by 90% of respondents, and described as at times “dehumanising”, “degrading” and “stressful” and the use of supporting evidence too often inconsistent. Only 5% of responses about the process were positive.
The Report also reports low levels of trust in the system and the need for it to be built back both for disabled people and those with long-term conditions, as well as for the taxpayer.
PIP was introduced in 2013 to contribute towards the extra costs of disability and support independent living but has never been fully reviewed despite shifting trends in health and disability, and changes in wider society and the workplace.
The Review launched last October with the aim of making sure PIP is fair and fit for the future in a changing world and helps support disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence including through employment.
It will also take account of related work underway across the wider health and social care system, including the Milburn Review into the increase in the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Both reviews are due to conclude later this year, providing a foundation for effective and sustainable reform.
The steering group will now continue to gather evidence through evidence sessions with experts and workshops around the country, while moving into the next phase: designing and testing recommendations for change, with the final recommendations due to be published this autumn.
Around 10 million working-age people report living with a disability – equivalent to 24% of the working-age population, compared with under 17% in 2013/14. There have been greater increases in the prevalence of disability among young people and a rise in mental health conditions. The Review must consider how PIP can remain sustainable within fixed financial limits and support future generations.
The report draws on findings from over 38,000 responses to a Call for Evidence, which describe an assessment process that fails to reflect real-life impacts, particularly for those with multiple or fluctuating conditions.
Yet the report also found that disabled people consistently describe PIP as a vital lifeline, allowing independence. Without it, many say they would become housebound, dependent on family, or in need of residential care.
Sharon Brennan, co-chair of the Review, said: “Improving trust in the system – both from the public and those going through the system – is vital if PIP is to be fit and fair for the future.
“Of those that responded to the steering group’s Call for Evidence, over 90% described negative experiences of the process of claiming PIP, with concerns raised around all aspects of the process from application through to assessment and appeals.
“We are immensely grateful to the tens of thousands of people who have taken the time to share their lived experience and make a valuable contribution to this Review.
“We’ve heard loud and clear: PIP is highly valued as a benefit but is not fit for purpose. We are committed to making changes so that PIP can fulfil its purpose.”
Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, co-chair of the Review, said: “PIP should contribute to disabled people meeting the extra costs of disability and participate in everyday life. What we have heard through this Review is that, while PIP is a lifeline for many people, the system too often fails to understand the reality of people’s lives.
“Disabled people have told us about a process that can feel stressful, dehumanising and hard to navigate, especially for people with fluctuating conditions, less visible or multiple conditions. That matters, because a system that does not feel fair or humane will not command trust from disabled people or from the wider public.
“This Review is significant because disabled people, Disabled People’s Organisations and experts are helping and supporting to shape the work from the inside, not simply being consulted from the outside. As we move towards final recommendations, we need to be bold in our ambition, practical in our proposals, and focused on making PIP fair, trusted and fit for the future.”
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability and co-chair of the Review, said: “This interim report delivers a clear message: while PIP is widely valued as a benefit, it is not working as intended and needs fundamental change.
“Our work so far has been informed by a wide range of evidence, expertise, and insight to ensure we hear from as many disabled people as possible across the country, including through workshops, engagement and a call for evidence which attracted more than 38,000 responses.
“I’m grateful to my fellow co-chairs and the steering group for their intensive work and look forward to the Review’s final report being delivered in the autumn.”
Charlotte Gill, Head of Campaigns at the MS Society, says: “Today’s interim report confirms what disabled people have been saying for many years – that the current PIP system is stressful and exhausting.
“We’ve been supporting people with MS to share their experiences as part of the Review, and they are clear in their call for a new approach based on fairness, dignity and respect.
“Over 150,000 people live with MS in the UK, with most diagnosed in their 30s and 40s. This is our chance to build a PIP system that acknowledges invisible and fluctuating symptoms, ends unnecessary reassessments, and works for everyone.
“But the next steps are crucial – and must continue involving and listening to disabled people. That’s the only way to make PIP fair and fit for the future.”
Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, says: “The report echoes what we hear every day: that the PIP system is dehumanising, stressful and damages trust.
“PIP is a lifeline for people who, through no fault of their own, live with the additional costs of mental illness.
“So as this work progresses, it’s vital that, alongside improving the process, we also recognise that in a decent society we must support those facing additional need. This is a line-in-the sand moment for how we treat people, that improves lives for those who are unwell and reduces the impacts on families and communities.”
Jon Sparkes, OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability Mencap, said: “It’s groundbreaking to see proper co-production in action. Disabled people are shaping the way that PIP works, and their lived experience is essential to making the right decisions on its future.
“This report shows clearly that that the current claims process is not fit for purpose and places an unfair administrative and emotional burden on people with a learning disability and their families. This chimes with our experience: the application process is not accessible, assessments end up being a needless fight and unnecessary re-assessments create distrust in the decision-making process.
“This approach should continue so that future recommendations are practical, deliverable and do not harm disabled people. I hope that the process of co-production will help to restore trust in the welfare systems that many of us rely on.”
The Call for Evidence forms just one part of a wider programme of engagement and evidence gathering. Last month, the group launched a toolkit to gather organisations’ insights on people’s experiences of PIP. Feedback from these sessions, combined with existing research, has helped ensure the report reflects a broad range of views and evidence.
The steering group is clear that co-production is central to the Review, putting disabled people at its heart. Co-production is a new undertaking for the UK government, and this is the first time it has been used on this scale.
It includes disabled people, representatives from Disabled People’s Organisations and experts – bringing together lived experience, policy knowledge and practical expertise to develop recommendations based on real lives.
Harriet Edwards, Director of Influencing, Sense: “Too many disabled people are being failed by the current benefits system, and we welcome the Timms Review’s acknowledgment of this.
“Sense research found that nearly half of disabled people with complex needs on benefits said that the application process made their conditions worse; this is clearly a system that needs to urgently change.
“We are also pleased to see the review’s commitment to co-production with disabled people, and look forward to being further involved in this process.
“Benefits like PIP are a vital lifeline for disabled people. They are the difference between people being part of their communities, seeing people they love, being able to stay active and getting to work.
“As the Timms review moves into its next phase, we urge the review team to ensure its recommendations are driven by the goal of improving disabled people’s lives, not reducing public spending.
“Changes to welfare must remove barriers, strengthen support and build a system that treats disabled people with dignity, respect and trust.”
David Newbold, Director of Community, Parkinson’s UK: “We welcome the Timms Review’s recognition that the current PIP system is not working for many disabled people and that it can be particularly difficult for those with fluctuating conditions such as Parkinson’s.
“It is encouraging to see acknowledgement that assessments do not always capture the full impact of a condition, can be subjective, and that assessor training needs to improve.
“As the Review develops its recommendations, it will be important to ensure that support remains based on the impact a condition has on someone’s daily life. People with Parkinson’s should be able to access the support they need regardless of whether they are able to work, volunteer or take part in other activities.
“It is also vital for the Review to ensure that unnecessary reassessments for people with progressive conditions such as Parkinson’s are stopped. A fair system should not require people to repeatedly prove the impact of a condition that will not improve.
“We will continue to work with the Timms Review to help ensure any future changes to PIP work for people with Parkinson’s and lead to a fairer, more consistent system that provides the support people need.”
James Taylor, Director of Strategy, Scope: “Co-producing with disabled people is the right thing to do. We’re pleased lived experience is at the centre of the Review.
“This report reflects what Scope hears day in, day out, from disabled people. PIP isn’t working.
“The assessment process is complex and dehumanising. The system does not reflect the reality of disabled people’s lives, especially people with fluctuating conditions.
“Life costs more if you are disabled. And PIP exists to help with the extra costs disabled people face, whether they are in work, out of work, or unable to work.
“The government has started to listen. Now it must build a person-centred system that is easier to deal with and fit for disabled people’s lives.”
Stewart McCulloch, Chief Executive Officer, Christians Against Poverty: “We welcome that the Timms Review has listened to the voices of people living with disabilities, including a visit to meet with some of our clients at CAP’s support hub in Bradford.
“As rightly highlighted by the review, the current application process for PIP is complicated and adds additional stress and anxiety onto people already facing vulnerable circumstances. CAP’s debt coaches and local church teams frequently see this reality when working with clients in their communities.
“Many people with disabilities come to us for free debt advice because they have had to take out credit as a result of not being able to afford their basic needs.
“This report is a positive step on the journey of reviewing PIP. But, from this review, steps need to be taken to ensure that the social security system supports and empowers disabled people into good, quality employment, whilst also providing a livable income for those unable to work to live a life with dignity.”
SCOTTISH WELFARE FUND
We’re supporting people in crisis and helping people to live independently through our Scottish Welfare Fund.
The Scottish Welfare Fund is made up of two different grants.
One of these is a Crisis Grant which can help pay for essentials like food and heating in a disaster or emergency.
For more information: mygov.scot/scottish-welfare-fund
Up to 40,000 disabled people and people with health conditions will benefit from expanded access to personalised support, as the government rolls out Support Conversations across a further 27 Jobcentres taking the total number of sites to 33
Support Conversations are voluntary, hour-long sessions designed to help people identify and overcome the barriers stopping them from moving into work or into meaningful activity (such as volunteering) and is part of the commitment the Government made in last year’s Pathways to Work Green Paper
Unlike standard Jobcentre appointments, Support Conversations take a holistic approach, covering not just employment, but housing, debt, skills, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services. Support Conversations are delivered by Healthcare Professionals, Pathways to Work Advisers, and Disability Employment Advisers, and are available face to face, by video, or by telephone.
They are open to those who are awaiting a Work Capability Assessment and people furthest away from the labour market – assessed as having Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA).
These are people who for too long were written off and denied support. But the government’s expansion of Support Conversations is giving people they help they need and builds on the landmark deployment of 1,000 Pathways to Work Advisers, who have already helped more than 65,000 sick and disabled people get one step closer to work.
Minister for Employment Dame Diana Johnson said: “Too many disabled people and people with health conditions face barriers that stop them from accessing the support and opportunities they deserve.
“That is why we are expanding the number of sites delivering Support Conversations from 6 to 33 Jobcentres across Great Britain, giving up to 40,000 people personalised help tailored to their circumstances.
“Getting more people into good work is central to our Plan for Change and Support Conversations will help us do exactly this.”
This expansion builds on testing already live in six sites where support conversations are being delivered by healthcare professionals and disability employment advisers. Early testing indicates customers feeling “listened to” and “supported.”
Neil, a Disability Employment Adviser in Bournemouth said: “Support Conversations are a great opportunity to spend an hour focused on the claimant and their needs.
“We all know that many people face a whole range of challenges which need to be overcome as part of their individual journey back to work and talking through those challenges with a DEA is an important first step.
“Support Conversations confirm that the most valuable resource we have is the time that we spend with our claimants.”
Saimha, a Healthcare Professional in Preston said: “Support Conversation is about providing compassionate, informed, holistic, person-centred support to disabled people and those with health conditions. Every interaction is an opportunity to make someone feel heard, safe, and supported.
“Every person’s health journey is unique and support conversation is an opportunity to identify the range of barriers people are facing in their day to day life and signposting them to the relevant services that can help, encouraging people to take positive steps towards improving their lives.”
This expansion forms part of the UK government’s Pathways to Work offer and its broader £3.5 billion employment support package, which includes:
The government will continue to test the success of Support Conversations through healthcare professionals and disability employment advisors as part of this expansion, with Pathways to Work Advisers also carrying out these Support Conversations for the first time. 27 sites have been confirmed so far, with a further six sites to be confirmed shortly.
The expansion directly supports the government’s Plan for Change and its mission to raise living standards across the UK by helping more people into work and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Additional Information:
| Site | Model |
|---|---|
| Aberdare | PtWA |
| Berwick Upon Tweed | PtWA |
| Blaydon | DEA |
| Bournemouth | DEA |
| Didsbury | PtWA |
| Glenrothes | DEA |
| Grimsby | PtWA |
| Hoxton | PtWA |
| Lancaster | HCP |
| Leeds Park Place | PtWA |
| Leicester Charles Street | DEA |
| Leicester Wellington Street | DEA |
| North Shields | DEA |
| Northwich | PtWA |
| Preston | HCP |
| Rusholme | PtWA |
| Saltcoats | PtWA |
| Shettleston | DEA |
| South Shields | DEA |
| Southend | DEA |
| Sparkhill | DEA |
| Springburn | DEA |
| Sunderland | DEA |
| Thornaby | HCP |
| WesterHailes | PtWA |
| Whitehaven | DEA |
| Workington | PtWA |
Best Start Grant School Age Payment is paid automatically to those who already receive Scottish Child Payment but some people still need to apply.
Applications are now open to those who:
don’t qualify for Scottish Child Payment but get Housing Benefit.
have opted out of automatic Best Start Grant payments
are under 19 and dependent on someone else who gets benefits for you
If you’re currently receiving Scottish Child Payment you will receive a text when we’re checking eligibility and we will send a letter to let you know if you will get the payment automatically.
Find out more at: bit.ly/SchoolAgePayment
Launched last autumn, the Timms Review is being co-produced with disabled people and aims to make sure the benefit is fit and fair for the future and better reflects the impact of people’s conditions in the modern world.
New resources are now being made available to support organisations and communities across the country to run workshops, bringing together disabled people to share their experiences and views. These sessions will focus on key aspects of the system, including what PIP is for, people’s experience of applying, and how decisions are made.
Their responses will shape the Review, with its launch following the closure of the Call for Evidence last month which received 38,000 responses.
Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said: Hearing from disabled people across the UK is vitally important to inform the Review.
£That is why we are co-producing this review with disabled people every step of the way — to make sure that PIP is truly fair and fit for the future.
“I encourage any organisation that is able to host a workshop to do so, because we need to hear the views and lived experience of as many disabled people as possible.”
The resources include downloadable, ready-to-use engagement materials to help organisations across the UK engage with the review, run their own sessions with the people they advocate for, the public, or other stakeholders.
While the workshops are designed primarily for disabled people and those with long-term conditions, organisations are encouraged to adapt the materials for carers, advisors, and others with relevant knowledge and experience of PIP.
Co-chair Sharon Brennan said: “It is vital to the success of the review that we hear from as many people as possible about their thoughts on PIP, especially those whose voices are less heard such as those from marginalised communities or who are do not feel comfortable engaging with government-led consultations.
“We hope this new engagement method allows people to have conversations that matter with the organisations that they most trust so their lived experiences can shape the outcomes of our Review.
It is open to anyone who would like to host a session, including Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs), disability and health charities, community groups, and elected representatives.
Organisations can sign up for information sessions on how to conduct a workshop in a box taking place on 10 and 16 June and access the materials via the Timms Review webpage on gov.uk. Those taking part will need to submit their insights by 17 July to directly inform the steering group’s recommendations.
The ‘Workshop in a Box’ isn’t so easy to find on the wesite, though? – Ed.
Families across Scotland can now apply for over £330 to help with the costs of preparing for primary school, as applications for Best Start Grant School Age Payment open today (1 June 2026).
The payment, unique to Scotland, is available to eligible families with children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022. It is designed to ease the financial pressures that come with a child starting primary one and can be spent on anything families need – from clothes and stationery to school trips.
Whether a family can receive the payment depends on the child’s age and when they are first old enough to start primary school, typically between 4 and 5 years.
Importantly, families do not need to wait until their child starts school to apply. Those who are deferring their child’s start date, or whose child will not be attending school, are still eligible and must apply before applications close on 28 February 2027.
Families receiving Scottish Child Payment who are eligible for School Age Payment should get an automated payment and do not need to apply.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Starting school is a landmark moment in a child’s life, but sadly it can also put real financial pressure on families. That’s why we introduced the Best Start Grant School Age Payment – to help ensure that every child in Scotland can begin their school journey with what they need, regardless of their family’s circumstances.
“This support is a vital part of our wider commitment to eradicating child poverty, making sure help reaches families at key moments in a child’s life.”
Sara Spencer, Cost of the School Day Project Manager said: “We know from our work with children and families that starting school adds real pressure to already stretched family finances. That’s why it’s really important that families apply for the financial support, like the School Age Payment, that they are entitled to.”
School Age Payment is a payment of £331.95 per child. Applications for children born between 1 March 2021 and 28 February 2022 are open from 1 June 2026 to 28 February 2027.
To get Best Start Grant School Age Payment the person applying will normally need to be receiving one of the following payments: Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Pension Credit, income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Families have until 28 February 2027 to submit their application. The payment is also open to kinship carers and adoptive parents who meet the eligibility criteria.
Parents and carers can apply for multiple children, provided each child falls within the eligible age range at the time of application. Social Security Scotland will usually make the payment once per child, although additional payments may be made in certain circumstances — for example, if a child moves to live with a different kinship carer or adoptive parent within the same application window.
Full eligibility details and how to apply visit Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods – mygov.scot
Across Scotland, 321,885 children are benefiting from Scottish Child Payment as of March 2026, according to newly published statistics.
Launched in February 2021, the Scotland-only benefit is a weekly payment of £28.20, paid every four weeks to every eligible child under 16 within a household.
Scottish Child Payment is expected to keep 50,000 children out of relative poverty in 2026–27. This underlines the critical role that Scottish Child Payment plays in eradicating child poverty in Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Eradicating child poverty and supporting families with the cost of living is a key focus for this government.
“It’s clear that the Scottish Child Payment is making a major difference to families which is why we will now go further by increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 per week for families with children under the age of one.
We remain fully committed to doing everything we can to support families and give every child the best possible start in life. Scottish Child Payment remains central to that mission.”
Scottish Child Payment statistics to 31 March 2026: Scottish Child Payment statistics to 31 March 2026 – Social Security Scotland
New statistics show that over 120,000 children and young people have been supporting supported by Child Disability Payment.
Read the full publication at: https://socialsecurity.gov.scot/publications
