Tories plan major review of sickness and disability benefits

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

The Conservative Party is launching a detailed review of personal independence payments to overhaul sickness and disability benefits with the goal of making the system more sustainable and just. This effort responds to rapidly increasing claim numbers and costs, aiming to publish reform proposals by autumn that curb spending while maintaining necessary support.

The Conservative Party has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive review of sickness and disability benefits, aiming to reshape the system to be both “fair and affordable.” The review will primarily focus on personal independence payments (PIP), the main form of sickness benefit in the UK.

Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, is set to lead the initiative, which forms part of the party’s broader commitment to reduce the welfare bill by £23 billion. The review will be overseen by a panel including experts from business sectors, healthcare professionals, and charities. A series of proposals is expected to be published by autumn.

In a recent address at Re:State, a public services think tank, Whately emphasized that the reforms would be grounded in Conservative principles. She highlighted the party’s stance that individuals who are able to work should do so, noting work’s benefits beyond income, such as providing purpose and self-worth. Whately criticized the current government’s approach to welfare as piecemeal, describing the planned changes as both bold and principled rather than incremental.

The initiative comes amid growing numbers of people classified as disabled in the working-age population, which has risen sharply from around three million in 2013-14 to nearly ten million today. Official projections indicate that PIP claims could increase by approximately three million over the decade spanning the post-pandemic period through 2030. This growth rate would reflect an additional 836 successful claims daily for ten years.

Expenditure on PIP has doubled in recent years, rising from £11 billion in 2019-20 to £22 billion in 2024-25 for working-age claimants. According to forecasts by the Office for Budget Responsibility, spending is expected to surpass £30 billion annually by 2029-30.

The Conservative Party has acknowledged that thoroughly examining potential savings from PIP reform will require detailed analysis. The review aims to identify substantive changes that can help curb the rising costs while ensuring support is directed appropriately.