Being 16 is still considered a child in the UK so how can a 16 year old take the responsibility of applying for PIP and to be knowledgeable about finances. To fill in complex forms is overwhelming for an adult let alone a 16 year old. You can’t drink alcohol until 18 so the laws should be the same.

There’s many things you aren’t able to do at 16: playing the lottery, smoking and drinking alcohol. Would you allow a 16 year old to do this no we wouldn’t. 16 is just to young to take on the complexity of filling out many forms to claim a sickness benefit which is what the family would rely on. It’s simple: raise claiming PIP up to 18 so there’s no pressure on 16 year olds to become adults way to fast.