Tories Call for Restrictions on Disability Benefits for Foreign Nationals

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has outlined plans to restrict personal independence payments (Pips) and sickness top-ups to Universal Credit to British citizens only, with an exception for EU citizens with settled status. This move comes as part of a broader effort to curb welfare spending, which has been a major source of contention between the Conservative Party and Labour. The cost of benefits claims by households with at least one foreign national has more than doubled to nearly £1 billion a month, raising concerns about the sustainability of the welfare system.

Key Takeaways:

• The Conservative Party plans to restrict Pips and sickness top-ups to Universal Credit to British citizens only, with an exception for EU citizens with settled status.
• The cost of benefits claims by households with at least one foreign national has more than doubled to nearly £1 billion a month.
• A record 531 people per day were granted Pips for mental health problems last year, with the handouts worth up to £750 a month.
• More than three-quarters of sickness benefits claimants in 2023-24 were placed in the highest category, receiving £423 a month on top of Universal Credit.
• The reforms are part of a broader effort to curb welfare spending, with the Conservative Party promising to explore curbs on "the access of migrants and any dependents to welfare".
• The party will table amendments to Labour's welfare Bill, including one that requires all Pip awards to be determined with a face-to-face meeting rather than a phone conversation.
• The Office for Budget Responsibility projects that spending on all disability benefits, including Pip and sickness top-ups to Universal Credit, will rise from £39 billion in 2023-24 to £58 billion in 2028-29.

Statistics:

• £1 billion: The cost of benefits claims by households with at least one foreign national has more than doubled to since last year.
• 531: A record number of people per day were granted Pips for mental health problems last year.
• £750: The maximum monthly amount for Pips.
• £423: The monthly amount received by those in the highest category of sickness benefits.
• £158: The monthly amount received by those in the lower category of sickness benefits.
• £39 billion: The projected spending on all disability benefits in 2023-24.
• £58 billion: The projected spending on all disability benefits in 2028-29.
• 13%: The higher award rate for remote assessments compared to face-to-face assessments.

Sources:

• [The Telegraph]
• [The Times]
• Office for Budget Responsibility
• Kemi Badenoch
• Labour Party
• Rachel Reeves
• Helen Whately