Personal Independence Payment Assessment

Thursday 10th April 2014 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mike Penning)]

The Government have committed, through the Welfare Reform Act 2012, to carry out an independent review of the personal independence payment (PIP) assessment within the first two years of operations.

I am pleased to announce today that Paul Gray CB has been appointed to carry out the first independent review.

Paul Gray has held the position of chair of the Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) since November 2011. Prior to his retirement from the civil service in 2007, he held a number of senior positions including executive chairman of HM Revenue and Customs and managing director, pensions and disability in the Department for Work and Pensions.

During the period of the review Paul Gray intends to stand aside from any consideration by SSAC of issues relating to personal independence payment.

The review will provide valuable independent insight into the how the assessment process is operating in its early stages.

Paul Gray will present his report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions before the end of 2014.