This week the Government’s Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill passed its Second Reading meaning MPs voted to pass the bill.

What is the Universal Credit and PIP Bill?

A bill is a draft piece of legislation and this bill will have its third reading next week, so it is getting closer to becoming law.

It includes increasing the rate of Universal Credit allowance but also reducing the health element of Universal Credit for new claimants.

We were relieved to see the Government dropped plans which would have made Personal Independence Payment (PIP) harder to access.

There was a lot of outcry from MPs against proposals around PIP in particular and this has led to this significant change since the first reading of the bill. This is thanks to campaigning from a wide range of individuals and organisations.

What happens next?

It was announced that a review by Government Minister for Social Security, Stephen Timms is being carried out into PIP assessment. The review will include the views of disabled people. No changes to PIP and qualification for PIP will happen until after the review is complete by autumn of next year.

In our view, and that of many MPs and commentators, it did not make sense for sweeping changes to be made to the welfare system before a review was carried out to look at the issues that exist. We will be sure to contribute to the Timms Review to ensure that the needs of people with migraine are factored into any changes to welfare policy.

The rest of the bill will go to its third reading on 9 July where MPs will consider any further amendments that have been suggested and vote again.

Our response to the consultation

The Government did consult on some elements of the UC and PIP Bill before it passed – largely those relating to how people with disabilities could be helped to stay in, or return to, work. We were keen to contribute and asked you for your experiences. Here is a selection of what you told us about accessing PIP:

This was a complete waste of my time, I felt they dismissed my condition completely and did not take it seriously at all because in their minds its just a “headache” and my application was rejected even with all the evidence provided.

They ask all these questions and then the decision is based on if you can walk. What they don’t see is yes I can cut my grass but then I cannot move for the rest of the day.

Awful. 3 hours 10 mins phone interview. When I was rejected the summary of the conversation was incorrect, stating that I manage to get myself to work every day even though I broke down on the phone when I told her I had had to quit my job due to this. I wrote to point out the error but never heard back.

In our response we made the points that:

• People with migraine must be taken seriously by Department for Work and Pensions staff. At all levels of the health system, patients living with migraine frequently report being met with a lack of understanding or feeling dismissed, and this must not affect their eligibility for welfare
• Many people with migraine could manage their migraine and work more consistently if they benefited from better healthcare. Better training for GPs, consistent access to life-transforming medication and access to specialists where necessary would enable more people to work
• A truly effective welfare service would not place the onus on employees but would instead act as their advocate, intervening on their behalf when employers fail to make reasonable adjustments that would enable them to work.

Pathways to Work Consultation Response Final

We know that the changes being considered as part of this bill could have a damaging impact on the lives of people with migraine. If you need to talk then our Helpline is here for you

• Call us on 0808 802 0066
• Find out about our other support services