The Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, Caroline Voaden has called for the Government to urgently change course and rethink their cuts to Personal Independence Payments (PIP), with new data showing that 83% of people claiming the Payment in South Devon could lose at least some of their benefit.
A Written Parliamentary Question by the Liberal Democrats found that in 55 constituencies in England and Wales, 90% of those claiming the standard rate of Personal Independence Payment for daily living activities could lose at least some of the benefit following the Government’s cuts.
In South Devon, 83% of claimants scored less than 4 points, meaning that they could miss out on crucial support.
Under the Government’s plans, from November 2026 people on PIP will be required to score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to receive support with everyday tasks such as washing and cooking. Those scoring less will lose access to the “daily living” component, which for some will result in a full withdrawal of the benefit.
Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, Caroline Voaden has emphasised that this could lead to vulnerable people missing out on vital support, and has called on the Government to “urgently change course”.
Caroline Voaden, Lib Dem MP for South Devon, said: “The changes to Personal Independence Payments are deeply concerning, and I’m worried about what it could mean for vulnerable residents in South Devon who could lose vital parts of the benefit.
“Instead of tackling large complex issues driving welfare spending, like our broken social care system, the Government is intent on targeting the vulnerable and the disabled. Let’s be clear: without fixing our social care system or reforming the Department for Work & Pensions, we’ll see no meaningful drop in the welfare bill.
“The Government is right that we need to bring the welfare bill down. But you don’t achieve that by slashing support.”
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