The government's recent announcement regarding changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) has raised significant concerns for both carers and the people they support. Starting in November 2026, claimants will need to score at least four points in a single activity descriptor to qualify for the Daily Living Component. For many, this change will result in the loss of their PIP entitlement, which will, in turn, cause many carers to miss out on Carer's Allowance - an allowance provided to those unable to work due to caring for someone.
We believe it is essential to challenge these changes as they risk leaving disabled people without the financial assistance they rely on for everyday needs, thereby increasing the pressure on unpaid carers.
Carers are left wondering how the people they support will manage when this essential financial support—and the practical help that often accompanies it—becomes harder to obtain. Carers themselves are often disabled or living with long term health conditions, so can experience a double impact.
People with disabilities and their carers deserve support they can rely on. In the UK, 1.2 million unpaid carers are currently living in poverty, with 400,000 experiencing deep poverty. More must be done to ensure that carers can provide care with dignity and help prevent reaching unnecessary crisis points.
Carers First stands firmly with carers and the need for the government to deliver real support for those who need it most.
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