Responding to the publication of the revised Terms of Reference for the ‘Timms Review’ of Personal Independence Payment, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:

“We are pleased to see the publication today of a revised Terms of Reference for the Timms Review into Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and to see the appointment of the co-chairs Dr Clenton Farquarson CBE and Sharon Brennan. 

The Terms of Reference confirm that Government will ensure that the views and experiences of unpaid carers will be a central part of the co-production process, as Carers UK had called for.

It is also important that the Review will be taking account of the wider health and social care system and other linked benefits and services, including the independent commission into adult social care chaired by Baroness Louise Casey. Crucially, Government has also been clear that the purpose of the review is not to generate proposals for further savings.

Before putting forward recommendations for the future of PIP next Autumn, the Review must have ensured that the impact of any proposed changes to PIP has taken account of potential knock-on effects for Carer’s Allowance (and other carer-benefits) and must not lead to a reduction in Government spending on social security support for unpaid carers.”