88% of standard-rate PIP claimants could be at risk of losing support in in Erewash

88% of Erewash’s 2,700 standard rate of Personal Independence Payment for daily living activities lose at least some of the benefit following the Government’s cuts, a Written Parliamentary Question by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.

Under the Government’s plans, from November 2026 people on PIP will be required to score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to receive support with everyday tasks such as washing and cooking. Those scoring less will lose access to the “daily living” component, which for some will result in a full withdrawal of the benefit.

Erewash claimants are not alone in England and Wales, every local authority area currently sees at least 80% of those receiving the standard rate of PIP at risk of losing support.  

The constituencies with the highest number of those at risk of having support slashed are in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney and Tipton and Wednesbury, both with 92% of standard-rate of PIP claimants not scoring four points on all categories of the Government’s test.  Erewash is not far behind these with 88% of claimant potentially impacted.

The Liberal Democrats said that it “lays bare the scale of the damage” the cuts could do, adding to people’s worry and “increasing pressure on local areas where these cuts go the deepest”. The party called on the Government to recognise the cuts’ “devastating impact” and “change course”.

Liberal Democrat Work and Pensions spokesperson, Steve Darling MP said:

This lays bare the scale of the damage that the Government’s cuts could do to some of society’s most vulnerable.

Vast swathes of people could be missing out on vital support, not only adding to their suffering but increasing pressure on local areas where these cuts go the deepest.

This is support that helps people with daily tasks that many of us would take for granted, such as staying clean or staying safe and also helps many people stay in work.

The Government must recognise the devastating impact that these cuts could have and change course.  

Local Campaigner Laurie Morgen has written to Erewash Labour MP, Adam Thompson and has received a reply in apparent support of the Government’s proposed cuts.

Laurie had this to say:  

Members of support groups I’m personally involved with have recieved almost identical replies supporting the governments cuts from their Labour MPs.   

I will be attending the face to face consultation on the cuts with an ally from neighbouring Broxtowe constituency. This person is very seriously ill yet doesn’t score the four points required to keep their PIP, and along with it, the LCWRA health element on their Universal Credit.  The NHS does not supply the medication needed to maintain their life so it has be bought by private prescription, which this person pays for through their PIP. If they lose their PIP, they lose their life. It’s as simple as that. Tragically, this is a story we will see across the country if the Labour Gorvernment has its way."