Veterans

Corrie star Cotton and RAF veteran warn PIP changes could hit ex-forces hardest

Antony Cotton and former RAF pilot Ian Hewitt have warned that changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) could leave injured veterans without the support they need to live independently.

Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Mr Hewitt - who was medically discharged from the RAF in 1999 at the age of 22 - said his PIP allowance was essential for his day-to-day life.

The veteran, who suffers from paralysis, seizures and chronic pain, described being in constant pain and relying on morphine "just to exist".

He said: "PIP is my independence. It's my ability to use a taxi to get to hospital appointments - and I have a lot of those.

"It's the ability to go into town, and if I'm not well I can get a taxi home. It's a 30 second journey but I can't walk it so I am reliant on all these other things to pay for.

"People don't realise that being disabled is hugely expensive. There are so many hidden costs."

The Prime Minister was questioned about the plans during a Liaison Committee hearing.

"Those people that do need support and protection should get support and protection ... but equally, those that can work should work," Sir Kier Starmer said.

Mr Hewitt said he agreed with the principle that "those who can work, should work," but said veterans are often left in limbo after being discharged.

"You fall through the cracks," he said. "You're not able to work, you're waiting for metal health support help, and you're being expected to work. Those two don't tag together."

Antony Cotton, a patron of Help for Heroes, appeared alongside him on the programme and described campaigning for veterans as his "life's work".

The Coronation Street actor told BFBS Forces News: "I don't think I'll ever quite understand why a government needing vast sums of money to fill enormous black holes in its economy, looks to take from people, like our veterans, who are the ones with the very least.

"How does that ever make sense?

"The veteran community in the UK already have more struggles than most, many having lost their limbs or their minds on the battlefield – and more often than not, both.

"Cuts to their benefits, whether that's PIP or carer's allowance etc, will have a devastating effect on so many veterans."

He urged ministers to take urgent action, adding: "I implore the PM and John Healey and Al Carns to really take a hold of this subject, as well as looking at the wider picture for our serving personnel, and really act on giving this community what it deserves – decent food, fit for purpose accommodation, free rail travel to get home, free WiFi in their rooms on camp, and a better supported transition into civilian life for those wounded, injured and sick.

"It is the very least they deserve.

"As I do every single day, I thank them for their service."

What are the proposed changes to PIP?

The government has announced plans to reform disability benefits in a bid to reduce welfare spending by £4.8 billion by 2029–30.

As part of the proposals, people will need to score at least four points in a single daily living activity to qualify for the daily living component of PIP - a change from the current system, where points are assessed cumulatively across different tasks.

Ministers say the reforms are intended to refocus support on those with the highest needs and help others into work, with £1 billion a year pledged to support disabled people into employment by 2030.

However, critics - including veterans’ charities - warn that the changes could hit hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people.

The DWP estimates suggest around 400,000 fewer people could qualify for PIP under the new rules.

Help for Heroes has said veterans may be among those worst affected, particularly those who are unable to work due to injuries sustained during their service.