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Politics

UK benefit review proposes in-kind support option for disabled people, report says

Official advisers have proposed letting claimants swap cash for services under a benefit overhaul, The Guardian reports.

The short version

  • Government advisers recommended allowing some disabled claimants to exchange part of their cash payments for in-kind support under a proposed benefit overhaul.[The Guardian]
  • The reform aims to remain within projected annual spending of 41 billion pounds by 2029.[The Guardian]
  • Thinktank polling shows half of recipients back the principle of trading cash for services.[The Guardian]
  • Advisers plan to test the preliminary proposals with thousands of disabled people before finalizing recommendations.[The Guardian]

Key facts

  • Government advisers proposed that some disabled people could receive in-kind support rather than just cash under a personal independence payment overhaul.[The Guardian]
  • The committee acknowledged that its reforms must adhere to projected personal independence payment spending of 41 billion pounds annually by 2029.[The Guardian]
  • Polling conducted by the Good Growth Foundation found that 50 percent of recipients supported trading a portion of their cash awards for services.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • The recommendations are preliminary and remain subject to testing for fairness and workability in workshops with thousands of disabled people.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.