New DWP plans for PIP claimants with back, joint and muscle pain coming this month
by Linda Howard, Sonia Sharma · ChronicleLiveThe DWP is set to bring in changes for PIP claimants who have back, joint and muscle health conditions.
The Department for Work and Pensions recently announced that people living in areas with the worst waiting lists for musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions are to be treated faster and supported back into employment as part of the UK Government’s new ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper. Figures from the DWP show that at the end of October, more than 1.1 million people in England and Wales were receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) of up to £737.20 each month for MSK conditions.
As part of the Government’s drive to tackle economic inactivity - where someone is out of work and not looking for work - 17 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) across England will share part of a £3.5 million package to improve MSK services. The funding will see each area in England and Wales receive up to £300,000 to treat one of the main drivers of economic inactivity, reports the Daily Record.
The MSK Community Delivery Programme will be administered through NHS England’s Getting it Right First Time (GIRFT) programme, and will give ICBs the resources and leadership to develop more efficient ways of getting MSK patients treated, off waiting lists and back onto the path of employment. Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern MP, recently said: “For too long people locked out of work with health issues have been forgotten about and denied the support they need to get well and get working.
"It’s stifling our economy and preventing those eager to progress in life from unleashing their full potential. This multi-million-pound funding boost means musculoskeletal patients across the country will get the help they need, as we give clinical leaders the resources to innovate, get people off waiting lists and get Britain working again.”
Get all the latest money news and budgeting tips from Chronicle Live with our free newsletter
The Government says there are 2.8m people economically inactive due to long-term health and MSK is the second largest reason given, behind mental health. Around 646,000 people - around 1 in 4 (23%) - said MSK was their primary condition.
Waiting lists for MSK community services are the highest of all community waits in England, at 348,799 people in September 2024, with approximately 23.4m working days in the UK being lost due to MSK conditions in 2022 alone. Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Andrew Gwynne, recently said: “With prevention, early detection and treatment, we know that the 17 million people with musculoskeletal issues in England could better manage their conditions, improving their quality of life and enabling them to rejoin the workforce. Through the Plan for Change, the government is taking decisive action to drive down waiting lists, improve treatment options and boost the economy.”
A consultation on proposed changes to the welfare system is due to be published before the Spring Statement on March 26.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community