On 18th March 2025, the UK government announced a new green paper entitled Pathways to Work.
One of the proposed changes put forward by Liz Kendall MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, could make it harder for people to qualify for the Daily Living component of Personal Independence Payment. This could have a devastating impact on primary bone cancer and tumour patients.
Below we have summarised the key proposals:
- Increased eligibility threshold
To qualify for the Daily Living component of PIP, individuals would need to score at least 4 points in a single area, even if they meet the requirements for standard or enhanced rates. This could make it more challenging for some of our patients to meet the criteria.
- Streamlined assessment process
The government proposes to simplify the PIP assessment process by reducing the number of descriptors and focusing on functional impact. While this could expedite assessment, there is concern that it may not capture the complexities of conditions such as primary bone cancer.
- Automatic support for severe conditions
For people with severe, life-long conditions including bone cancer, the government plans to introduce an additional payment and will ensure people are not reassessed. This could prove more stability for people with advanced disease.
Together with other charities, we are calling on Liz Kendall MP and the Department of Work and Pensions to urgently reconsider the changes in an open letter ahead of the Spending Review.
Collectively, we believe the proposed (non-consulted) changes will remove vital financial support. People facing bone cancer should not have to choose between treatment and everyday needs — the government should offer support, not barriers.
Silvia Kraft, Policy and Awareness Officer at the Bone Cancer Research Trust, said:
We are deeply disappointed by the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment set out by the UK government. For many patients, this financial support can provide a lifeline for the mounting costs that a bone cancer diagnosis can bring. Together with our partner charities, we are standing up for our community and advocating for a compassionate welfare system that does not pull people living with and beyond cancer into financial hardship.
Read our open letter to Liz Kendall MP here.
We offer all newly-diagnosed patients a one-off payment of £125, and a further £170 to those undergoing Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) or participating in a clinical trial to help with travel.