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People claiming Personal Independence Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions have been warned they would face cuts of £9 billion under a Reform UK welfare shake-up. Reform UK's Lee Anderson, the party's welfare spokesman, outlined measures to restrict Personal Independence Payment for people under 25 and all those with "non-major anxiety." The proposals also include reinstating face-to-face assessments and establishing therapy programmes for individuals with mild mental health conditions. Party representatives highlighted escalating PIP expenditure reaching one per cent of GDP, with Anderson arguing the existing system was "not fair on our taxpayers and not fair on young people". READ MORE: "The alarm clock generation is now being replaced by an anxiety generation," Anderson said. "We are committed to supporting the most vulnerable members of our society. "We want to live in a fair society that helps keep people in the workplace even when they are going through a difficult time." The strategy is set to raise questions amongst Conservative opposition figures after leader Kemi Badenoch similarly used research from the right-leaning Centre for Social Justice during the summer. The Conservatives have committed to a larger figure of £23 billion in welfare reductions, though this encompasses slashing benefits for migrants holding indefinite leave to remain, which Reform has likewise promised. The Labour government has also pledged to boost face-to-face assessments for PIP and is exploring initiatives to incentivise employers to recruit younger workers nationwide. Statistics reveal that most remote assessments result in higher approval rates for PIP claims compared to in-person evaluations. The recent proposals outlined by Reform form part of strategies to enhance the party's policy credibility among voters and businesses while ensuring manifesto commitments are prepared ahead of any election announcement. During a press conference on Tuesday, Reform MP Danny Kruger stated the opposition party would "have legislation drafted" in preparation for government. Party officials also indicated it would avoid repeating Labour's errors, which experienced significant backbench revolt over proposed PIP modifications and £5bn welfare cuts earlier this year. Reform's policy chief Zia Yusuf told City AM that the party would present its manifesto proposals to all parliamentary candidates and guarantee representatives are dedicated to the "values and principles" within its policy framework. Yusuf stated that elected MPs would bear a "moral obligation" to support Reform's proposals. Anderson also condemned the Conservatives for presiding over increased PIP claimant numbers nationwide and called for an apology for allowing welfare expenditure to "absolutely spiral "under their watch. Yusuf stated: "The idea that the arsonists who burnt the house down can then turn up with great proposals is one of the most outrageous things." Responding to today's announcement by Reform UK on its planned welfare changes, Joe Shalam, policy director at the Centre for Social Justice, said: "Hundreds of thousands of people are trapped in a welfare system that does not work for them nor for our flatlining economy. "The CSJ has long called for reforms to mental health benefits, which are failing British young people, and these proposals are a step in the right direction. Some of the savings must be invested in a radical expansion of NHS Talking Therapies and back-to-work help." Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp . Join our dedicated community for the latest updates sent straight to your phone as they happen. You can find out more about cost-of-living issues in our Money Saving Newsletter, which is sent out daily via email with all the updates you need to know on pensions , PIP , Universal Credit , benefits, finances, bills, and shopping discounts. Get the top stories in your inbox to browse through at a time that suits you.
