New Green Paper mega thread

ETA Link to consultation: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/pathways-to-work-reforming-benefits-and-support-to-get-britain-working-green-paper. It will end on 30 June 2025 so please share your stories and thoughts if you’re able to.

As the other thread now has nearly 400 comments and I’ve repeated myself more times than I care to remember, this will be the new thread.

There will be a pinned comment with FAQs - do not comment asking me these things or your submission will be removed and you will be temporarily banned for 3 days. I might also start biting people soon and nobody wants to see that.

This is the summary:

  • In England and Wales, there will only be a single assessment for financial support related to health and disability benefits, rather than 2. This will be based on the current PIP assessment.

  • Without the WCA eligibility criteria, the additional health element in UC will no longer be linked in any way to someone’s capacity to work or their work status. Instead, eligibility to the additional UC health element will be based on whether someone is receiving any Daily Living Award in PIP.

  • The work allowance and single taper rate will remain unchanged to continue to incentivise trying work. Labour will also establish in law the principle that work will not lead to a reassessment of any health related benefits.

  • Labour will consult on establishing a new Unemployment Insurance that will provide a higher rate of time-limited financial support for those who have paid in by reforming contributory benefits. This would replace the current New Style ESA and JSA. The rate of financial support would be set at the current higher rate (Support Group) of New Style ESA.

  • Labour plan to rebalance UC by increasing the standard allowance for over 25s by £7 a week. The rate of the UC health element will be frozen at £97 per week until 2029/2030 for current claimants. For new claims the rate of the UC health element will be reduced by £47 per week.

  • Labour will introduce a new eligibility requirement to ensure that only those who score a minimum of 4 points in at least one daily living activity will be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. It will apply to new claims and for existing people who claim, future eligibility will be decided at their next award review.

  • Whilst the WCA is still in place, Labour will restart reassessments as they play an important role in taking account of how changes in health conditions and disabilities affect people over time.