UK Government publishes Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill

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Yesterday, the Government introduced a bill to make changes to the benefits system. We are concerned that the proposed changes will reduce vital support for some people with CF. Find out more about how this could affect you – and how you can have your say. 

Yesterday, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall introduced the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.

There are many stages for the proposals to go through before any changes are put into place. We’ll keep highlighting the worries of people affected by CF and calling on the Government to rethink its approach.

The proposed changes 

As the Bill stands, it would:

  • reduce eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
  • use the PIP assessment to assess entitlement for the health element (officially referred to as the Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity, or LCWRA) of Universal Credit
  • freeze the health element rate for current claimants
  • reduce the health element rate by almost half for new claimants. 

The changes to PIP are due to take effect in November 2026. 

The reduction of the health element rate is due to take effect from 6 April 2026.

The Bill is not final and is subject to amendments in Parliament.

In response to concerns from charities and MPs about the potential impact of these changes, the Secretary of State announced that anyone who loses PIP will be entitled to 13 weeks of PIP payments after the decision. New protections allowing individuals to attempt a return to work without automatically facing reassessment will also be put into place.

What is a bill and how does it move through Parliament?

A bill is a proposal for a new law, or a change to an existing law, which is presented to and then debated by Parliament.

This week Liz Kendall introduced the Bill for first reading [parliament.uk]. First reading is when a bill is published, not when a bill is debated and voted on.

What we’re doing in response to the Bill

The Trust have been briefing MPs on how the proposed welfare cuts would affect the CF community.

We are also responding to the Government’s consultation on these changes.

We are disappointed that the Government has published the Bill while the consultation is ongoing and hope the Bill will be amended as a result of this feedback. 

What you can do

Ahead of MPs’ first vote on these benefit cuts, it is vital that they hear from you how it would affect the CF community.

While the Bill is unlikely to be defeated, the Government has already made concessions because of the public getting in touch with their MPs. With continued pressure, they could make more. 

Email your local MP today to call on them to protect vital support for people with CF.

How to contact your MP

  1. Enter your postcode here to find your local MP’s email address.
  2. Download one of our template emails using the buttons below to get you started. Make sure to fill in/delete the relevant parts highlighted in red.
  3. Send the email to your MP, copying in [email protected] to help us continue to lobby MPs on our community’s behalf.

I have CF – Download the email template

I know/support someone with CF – Download the email template

If you’d like to share your story in the media and help us campaign against the Government’s planned welfare cuts, please email us at [email protected].

Get support

If you're worried about these changes and this is affecting your health, please speak to your CF team or contact our Helpline.

For advice on your current benefits situation, please speak to your CF social worker or get in touch with our welfare team via our Helpline.

Shanique holding baby Thiago, who has CF; they're sitting on a bench in her garden

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