URL: https://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5379

Decision Maker: Council

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: In accordance with Procedure Rule 8(A)(6), and 10(9)(A) and (B) the Council debated a motion which was submitted on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, as proposed by Councillor Andreas Kirsch and seconded by Councillor Sabah Hamed. Under Procedure Rule 10(9)(A) the proposer of the original motion, Councillor Andreas Kirsch, had altered the text prior to the meeting which was circulated as late material and read as follows:    “Welfare Reform Bill - changes to disability and long-term sickness benefits   This Council notes: (i) the debate and vote in the House of Commons on the Government’s Welfare Reform Bill concerning potential changes to disability and long-term sickness benefits, including Personal Independence Payments;   (ii) PIP is not an out of work benefit!  It’s a crucial benefit for people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions, paid regardless of employment which acts as a gateway to other benefits; and   (iii) although the government technically won the vote on welfare reform with the Bill passing its second reading by 335 to 260 votes, they were unable to push through their reforms on Personal Independence Payments;”   (iv) just two hours before the Commons vote, Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, announced that no changes would be made to PIP eligibility before the review.    (v) changes to Universal Credit for claimants who are unfit to work remain in the Bill and this leaves many people with disabilities and health conditions and their families will be substantially worse off:   ·         “claimants currently receive an additional health related payment of more than £400 per month and the Bill reduces the health element for new claims from £97 to £50 per week from April 2026; ·         restricts payment to claimants over the age of 22; ·         increases the higher health-related rate for existing claimants every year for the rest of the Parliament, at least in line with inflation.   This Council believes: (i) the government must now follow through on their promise to listen and work with disabled people and representative organisations in the Stephen Timms review of their proposals; and”   (ii) research shows that families with disabled children are among the poorest in the country and 44% of parents of disabled children or their partners have a disability or health condition themselves. The Universal Credit vote will make life harder for many of them!   (iii) government cuts to PIP and disability benefits are likely to have detrimental budgetary pressure for RBK and its partners potentially leading to an increase in demand for our welfare advice and support services, and a heightened pressure for our housing services, social care, and emergency assistance programs.   This Council resolves to: (i) work with our MPs to campaign against the cuts, monitor the progress of the “Timms Review” the Bill;   (ii) Monitor the acceleration of the £1billion back-to-work support package, originally scheduled to be introduced in 2029; and   (iii) request officers keep the People Committee informed proactively; and to   a)    foster an inclusive community and prioritise outreach to vulnerable groups; b)    ensure council advice services are equipped to support PIP recipients and their carers, acknowledging the work of our VS partners in supporting residents who live with a mental health condition and/or developmental conditions. c)    help gather evidence, complete applications and provide support for appeals, accessing legal resources or connections with advocacy groups specialising in disability rights.   (iv) we will achieve this by enhancing our Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) offer to ensure it is current, relevant, and accessible to those affected, and by continuing to collaborate with partners such as Kingston’s Centre for Independent Living.”   After some debate and on being put to the vote the motion was carried and it was RESOLVED that –   “Welfare Reform Bill - changes to disability and long-term sickness benefits   This Council notes: (i) the debate and vote in the House of Commons on the Government’s Welfare Reform Bill concerning potential changes to disability and long-term sickness benefits, including Personal Independence Payments;   (ii) PIP is not an out of work benefit!  It’s a crucial benefit for people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions, paid regardless of employment which acts as a gateway to other benefits; and   (iii) although the government technically won the vote on welfare reform with the Bill passing its second reading by 335 to 260 votes, they were unable to push through their reforms on Personal Independence Payments;”   (iv) just two hours before the Commons vote, Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, announced that no changes would be made to PIP eligibility before the review.    (v) changes to Universal Credit for claimants who are unfit to work remain in the Bill and this leaves many people with disabilities and health conditions and their families will be substantially worse off:   ·         “claimants currently receive an additional health related payment of more than £400 per month and the Bill reduces the health element for new claims from £97 to £50 per week from April 2026; ·         restricts payment to claimants over the age of 22; ·         increases the higher health-related rate for existing claimants every year for the rest of the Parliament, at least in line with inflation.   This Council believes: (i) the government must now follow through on their promise to listen and work with disabled people and representative organisations in the Stephen Timms review of their proposals; and”   (ii) research shows that families with disabled children are among the poorest in the country and 44% of parents of disabled children or their partners have a disability or health condition themselves.  The Universal Credit vote will make life harder for many of them!   (iii) government cuts to PIP and disability benefits are likely to have detrimental budgetary pressure for RBK and its partners potentially leading to an increase in demand for our welfare advice and support services, and a heightened pressure for our housing services, social care, and emergency assistance programs.   This Council resolves to: (i) work with our MPs to campaign against the cuts, monitor the progress of the “Timms Review” the Bill;   (ii) Monitor the acceleration of the £1billion back-to-work support package, originally scheduled to be introduced in 2029; and   (iii) request officers keep the People Committee informed proactively; and to   d)    foster an inclusive community and prioritise outreach to vulnerable groups; e)    ensure council advice services are equipped to support PIP recipients and their carers, acknowledging the work of our VS partners in supporting residents who live with a mental health condition and/or developmental conditions. f)     help gather evidence, complete applications and provide support for appeals, accessing legal resources or connections with advocacy groups specialising in disability rights.   (iv) we will achieve this by enhancing our Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) offer to ensure it is current, relevant, and accessible to those affected, and by continuing to collaborate with partners such as Kingston’s Centre for Independent Living.”   Voting:   For:                                         Councillors Afy Afilaka, Andrew Bolton, Lorraine Dunstone, Mark Durrant, Liz Green, Helen Grocott, Patrick Hall, Sabah Hamed, Roger Hayes, Lesley Heap, Lynn Henderson, Peter Herlinger, Alison Holt, Amir Ali Khan, Robert Dongsung Kim, Andreas Kirsch, Griseldis Kirsch, Kamala Kugan, Mike Massimi, Sharukh Mirza, Nicola Nardelli, Anne Owen, Elizabeth Park, Tom Reeve, Farshid Sadr-Hashemi, Anita Schaper, Andrew Sillett, Susan Skipwith, John Sweeney, Thay Thayalan, Richard Thorpe, Yvonne Tracey, Olly Wehring, Andrew Wooldridge and Yogan Yoganathan. (35)   Against:                                  None. (0)   Abstentions:                          Councillors Noel Hadjimichael (Mayor), Sue Ansari (Deputy Mayor), Rowena Bass, Ian George. (4)  

Date of Decision: July 8, 2025