How the 2026 Budget could change the future of PIP

Personal Independence Payments could see a major revamp in the next few months, with Chancellor John Healey’s first Autumn Budget expected to bring the first round of changes ahead of the Timms Review final report. Here’s what we know so far and what could be on the chopping block.

The Autumn Budget for 2026 will be announced on Wednesday, October 28th, and it could hold a lot of changes for benefit claimants as the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham puts his plans for welfare spending into play.

One of the biggest costs in the welfare system is Personal Independence Payments, or PIP. This benefit provides payments to over four million people in the UK to help with the added cost of having health conditions or disabilities.

In 2025, a whole range of controversial PIP changes were announced to help cut the bill but many were scrapped at the 11th hour and an in-depth review of the benefit began. The Labour Government was torn between cutting costs, encouraging people off of benefits and into the workplace and still supporting the most vulnerable claimants.

Now, with the country under new leadership, could Chancellor John Healey breathe new life into these proposals?

What PIP changes could be in the Autumn Budget?

Very little has been confirmed about what announcements Healey could make for the future of PIP but it is expected that he will explain the roadmap for the benefit going forward. One thing that is more certain in the Budget is the Chancellor will confirm how much PIP and other benefit rates will increase during the annual uprating in April.

However, because the Government is formally investigating how PIP operates in the Timms Review, it’s not likely that any major changes will start before the review publishes its final recommendations. This is due to be published in late autumn.

What is the Timms Review?
The Timms Review began in 2026, led by Sir Stephen Timms, to check if the PIP system is fair, effective and fit for the future. The formal review makes recommendations to the Government, it doesn’t necessarily mean that everything coming out of the review will be actioned.

The review is using experience and evidence from many people with skin in the game. This includes those who have applied for PIP, disabled people using the benefit, organisations supporting them and healthcare experts.

What has the Timms Review said?
So far, the review found that many people felt the PIP decision-making process is “stressful and dehumanising” and while people believe it is a valuable benefit, they also think it’s no longer fit for purpose.

Some of the initial recommendations from the review include reforming the entire PIP system. People using the benefit don’t need to stress too much, as the latest report assured “accessibility, fairness and accountability” will be a major part of the final recommendations.

When could the Timms Review start changing PIP?
The final recommendations are expected in late autumn 2026. Although this doesn’t mean the Government has to immediately act on everything it says.

The Government can choose to alter or combine recommendations and organising this can take some time. So while there likely won’t be any immediate changes in the next few months, the announcements that come out of the Budget and the Review will undoubtedly be shaping the future of PIP.

What has the Prime Minister said?
Andy Burnham has previously spoken about his mission to get more young people off benefits in general. He has also acknowledged that the welfare bill needs to come down.

Back in the summer when he was first thrust into the spotlight as a candidate to take over from Sir Keir Starmer, he said he wanted to “reduce the welfare bill in a way that is fair and lasting and helps people move forward”.

Some experts have speculated that, given Burnham’s determination to help young people specifically, PIP could be replaced for under-25s with an entirely new system.

People claiming PIP have been gripping the edge of their seats for well over a year now, as the Government kept revising and u-turning on changes that could affect their entire lives. While the light is shining at the end of the tunnel, there may still be a good few months before any certainty enters the benefit system.