Turn2us responds to the Timms Review interim report
- Published
- 09/07/2026
Today, the Timms Review interim report was published. It sets out the work undertaken by the steering group so far, including its assessment of how the current Personal Independence Payment (PIP) system is working, and reflections on the co-production process.
The report highlights
- Overwhelmingly the evidence shows people are having negative experiences when claiming PIP. Over 90% of all evidence submitted described negative experiences. The steering group intends to examine how this could be improved.
- Many disabled people find PIP unfair and inconsistent. The steering group wants to understand the impact the assessment process has on people's health and whether the assessment is actually addressing the support people need.
- Claimants and the wider public don't trust PIP or the process of claiming. People are experiencing increased stigma and negative narratives around disability in an environment of heightened public and political scrutiny. The steering group recognises it's important to understand the impact claiming has on people, to understand how to build trust.
The review will now continue, with a final report and recommendations for reforming the PIP system due this autumn. We welcome the continued commitment to co-production and how the co-production process can provide important learning to government in the future.
At Turn2us we believe that any upcoming reforms must prioritise treating people with dignity and respect, while ensuring the system delivers for those who need it.
Shelley Hopkinson, Head of Policy and Influencing at Turn2us says:
"The Timms Review presents a critical opportunity not only to improve the functioning of PIP but to reset the values that underpin it.
"PIP is a vital source of support that helps disabled people and people with long-term health conditions independently manage the extra costs of disability and support participation in society. But too often, the debate around PIP focuses on the cost of providing this support, rather than people's experience of it.
"Stigmatising narratives, unfair and rigid assessment practices, and limited trust in decision-making are not peripheral issues; they shape whether people feel able to apply, whether they receive the right support and whether people trust the system.
"The recommendations from this review must contribute to a system that people can trust: one that provides adequate financial support, delivers fair and accurate assessments, and treats everyone with dignity and respect throughout the process."
Stop the stigma. Fix the system
Most of us will need the benefits system at some point. So, it should treat us all with dignity and respect. Yet, our research finds over 80% of PIP claimants regularly fear their support will be taken away. Join our campaign to make sure our social security system is there for all of us when we need it.