Disability charities and campaigning organisations react to the interim Timms Review

Disabled people’s charities and advocacy organisations have been swift to respond following the publication of the interim Timms Review into the Department of Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system.

The preliminary findings recognised the benefit as vitally important, but also criticised the “degrading” and “dehumanising” assessment process. Ultimately, it determined that PIP was “not fit for purpose”.

Almost universally, the response from advocacy organisations was something along the lines of ‘That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you for years’. Likewise, most also welcomed the review’s initial findings, and echoed the vital necessity of PIP.

In this article, the Canary takes a closer look at those reactions — focusing, of course, on the parts that aren’t ‘we told you so’.

Timms Review — A rare opportunity

Many of the responses took the interim report as an opportunity to create a better, more just system. For example, the Royal National Institute for the Blind’s Sophie Dodgeon, head of public affairs for the non-profit organisation, said:

PIP is a vital lifeline that helps people meet the significant extra costs of sight loss, but too many people face assessments that fail to properly understand the realities blind and partially sighted people face. Too many are then forced to challenge decisions that are later overturned.

Sarah Hughes, CEO of mental health charity Mind, stated that:

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.

Likewise, Charlotte Gill — the MS Society’s head of campaigns — said:

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.

The society also called for people to sign its petition to fix PIP for people with multiple sclerosis.

Ongoing reservations

Alongside the positives and calls for change, some of the disability campaigners voiced necessary criticisms of some aspects of the review.

Learning disability charity MENCAP stated both its recognition of the report’s value and ongoing qualms:

We’re particularly pleased the report recognises that people with a learning disability often face more barriers when claiming PIP and many people question the need for reassessments where there is no real reason that a person’s condition will change.

However, we want to know more about:

• what future PIP assessments will look like
• why the review believes PIP can create barriers to work, social activities and community life
• how they think the experience of claiming PIP can be improved.

As the review works on what it thinks the government should do to make PIP better, we urge the review team to focus on changes that genuinely improve the lives of people with a learning disability.

Likewise, in its press release, Parkinson’s UK praised the review’s recognition that PIP often failed people with fluctuating conditions. However, the support charity also articulated misgivings around one aspect of the interim report’s framing:

We’re concerned by the report’s suggestion that there should be a greater emphasis on participation in society. This includes volunteering, work or social and cultural activities.

The decision to grant PIP should be based on the impact a condition has on someone’s daily life, not on their ability to take part in these activities.

Kristine McGregor, a PIP Review Reference Group member who lives with young-onset Parkinson’s, added:

Parkinson’s can change from hour to hour. On one day I may be able to volunteer or speak at an event; on another, I may be unable to get out of bed safely. My disability has not changed, only my symptoms have. PIP must assess the real impact of disability, not what someone manages to achieve on their best days.

Parkinson’s UK also urged the reviewers and ministers to end the punishing reassessment process for people with lifelong and degenerative conditions.

A long road ahead

Still other organisations chose to focus on the road ahead for the Timms Review, which will publish its full report later in the autumn.

Sense is a charity which focuses on supporting people with complex needs. Its director of influencing, Harriet Edwards, reacted to the interim report:

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. […]

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.

Charity organisation Scope aims to change negative attitudes towards disability in society. Strategy director James Taylor emphasised both the necessity of PIP, and the work that the government has ahead of it:

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.

As disabled people across the country await the publication of the full Timms Review — and the consequences it could have for vital independence payments — we at the Canary will rest a little easier knowing that these charities and advocates will be watching the government’s next moves very, very closely.

Featured image via Twitter