Tell the UK Government how to improve Personal Independence Payment
As part of the UK Government’s review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), there is now an important opportunity to share your views on PIP and how to achieve a system which respects and works for people with sight loss.
The review, known as the Timms Review, has opened a 10 week call for evidence on PIP – a benefit to support people in England and Wales with the extra costs of disability. Described as the start of their engagement plans, the review is keen to hear about the current challenges with PIP and how it could be improved.
Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, co-chair of the Timms Review, shared:
“It is vital that disabled people’s voices are at the heart of this Review. PIP has a profound impact on people’s daily lives, independence, and sense of dignity, so any conversation about its future must begin with those who live with its realities every day.
“This call for evidence is an important opportunity to listen directly to disabled people, carers, organisations, and others with experience of the system. We want to hear honestly what is working, what is not, and what a fairer and more human system should look like.”
The call for evidence asks four questions based on the key themes of the review:
- Role and purpose of PIP
- Eligibility, fairness and equity in the award of PIP
- Experience of claiming PIP
- Changing context and the impact on PIP
You can choose which of the four questions you respond to and there is also an opportunity to share wider reflections on PIP.
The review, which is due to report to the UK Government in the autumn, is being co-chaired by Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sharron Brennan, and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. The co-chairs are overseeing a steering group of 12 people, the majority of whom are disabled, who are jointly leading the review.
The UK Government has said it is committed to ensuring PIP remains a non-means-tested cash benefit, available to people both in and out of work.
How to share your views
If you would like to respond directly to the call for evidence, which closes on 28 May 2026, you can use the online form here or request an alternative format by emailing [email protected].
How to shape RNIB’s response
RNIB will be responding to the call for evidence.
Thank you to everyone who has so far completed our PIP survey, which we will be using to inform our response. If you’ve not yet had chance, there is still time to complete our short survey.
We will also be running focus group sessions with blind and partially sighted people to help us respond. If you would be interested in taking part, please email [email protected] by 20 April.
