They can't just 'tell' DWP to stop awarding PIP for mental health issues. The Govt would need to change the existing regulations. Current Regs and caselaw fully support awards for MH reasons.
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DWP decision makers interpreting current PIP regs to exclude awards on MH grounds will just lead to more appeals, which are likely to succeed as independent tribunals are assessing against the law, not current Gov policy.
But the government is planning new legislation and policy to reduce the benefits bill, and it's going to be announced in Spring. It'll take time for the laws to be ratified and brought into effect, but make no mistake - the changes will be rolled out and people will suffer because of it.
Yeah, hopefully there may be legal challenges by the Diability/MH charities. Incidentally, the Work Capability Assessment was introduced by the previous Labour Govt. Labour has always been down on what they feel are 'undeserving' claimants. No better than Tories.
If the UK Gov does go down this path, it will further highlight the different approach in Scotland. The Scottish PIP equivalent, ADP, is unlikely to follow the UK line (for now, anyway ... elections next year!)
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