The government is right to insist that those with the greatest need should get more, the basis of its shift to Pips. It is also right about the size of the national budget that can realistically be assigned to disability mitigation. After all, pressured items of public expenditure like healthcare ultimately come from the same pot. Pity ministers in weighing the mobility component of Pips, for example, with access to new drugs. Judgements like that are the stuff of nightmares.

Many of us as advisers and advocates struggled with the old DLA and its bias against disability that lacked obvious physicality. Pips are better. But last week ministers appeared to be inching backwards in a move that seems contrary to the notion of parity of esteem between mental and physical health to which the Prime Minister so rightly aspires. I feel sure it's an aberration that will be short-lived.