Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 26 June (HL886), what estimate they have made of the proportion of Personal Independence Payment claims processed under the Transform Decision Making pilot where a learning disability is recorded as a secondary condition; and what steps they are taking to ensure the impacts on claimants with co-occurring neurodivergent conditions are accurately tracked.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

In cases where a claimant has multiple conditions or disabilities that affect daily living or mobility, all are considered during the assessment and decision making process. However, only the primary condition is recorded on the data that DWP uses to report disabling conditions. We cannot, therefore, provide information on the proportion of PIP claims processed within the trial where a learning disability is recorded as a secondary or co-occurring condition. Our impact evaluation will also be limited to primary disabling condition. Due to the small scale of the trial and volume of cases involved, we do not expect to be able to produce robust subgroup analysis for claimants whose primary disabling condition is a learning disability.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 26 June (HL888), how the existing quality assurance process for the Transform Decision Making pilot measures the accuracy of case managers' descriptor selections for claimants with a learning disability compared to those with purely physical impairments.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

DWP has a number of quality assurance processes in place to support decision accuracy; these include local quality checks, independent assurance activity and formal fraud and error measurement. Together, these processes provide assurance that descriptor choices are accurate and consistent.

As part of the pilot Case Managers complete an initial assurance process following their training. During this period, decisions are subject to 100% checking before they are issued to customers. These checks focus on the accuracy of the descriptor selection and whether the resulting award is financially correct. Case Managers receive feedback on the outcome of each check and where errors are identified, may receive further coaching or support. The results of the assurance activity are monitored to identify trends and inform continuous improvement, including targeted guidance and support where required.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 26 June (HL888), what plans they have to introduce accredited training specifically addressing masking, verbal compliance, and executive dysfunction in claimants with a learning disability for case managers operating the Transform Decision Making pilot.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Through the trial we will continue to conduct user research with Case Managers to refine processes, guidance and learning requirements, helping to ensure Case Managers are equipped to make quality decisions under all circumstances. Insights from the trial will help inform whether any changes are needed to the learning offer under the transformed decision making approach.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 26 June (HL886), what specific qualitative evaluation methods are being deployed to guarantee that claimants with learning disabilities in the Transform Decision Making pilot are not systematically disadvantaged before any further expansion of the pilot.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Through our impact evaluation of the pilot, we will be exploring, where possible, whether there are differential outcomes by primary disabling condition. We do not anticipate being able to identify impacts specifically on claimants with learning disabilities due to the small scale of the trial and low volume of these cases involved.

In addition to the impact evaluation, we are undertaking research with provider and DWP staff. This is to understand their experiences of undertaking assessments and making decisions under the changed approach. Our qualitative evaluation methods will include observations and interviews. We are not undertaking any specific qualitative evaluation activity with claimants with learning disabilities during this trial. We will continue to monitor decision making quality throughout the trial through established quality assurance processes.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL504), what plans they have to provide further support to those working in the heritage arts and craft sector.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Heritage skills, such as in stained glass, are an important part of our country’s heritage. The Government is investing significantly in apprenticeships through the Growth and Skills Levy, and in arts and heritage capital projects during this Parliament with nearly £200m of new funding over four years to support heritage.

This capital investment will support the pipeline of heritage construction projects and provide training and career opportunities in heritage skills. The Heritage Minister convened skills roundtables with the sector to encourage and support their commitment to building a sustainable skills pipeline.

DCMS is in discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to consider how the Growth and Skills Levy continues to support heritage-specific occupations.

Stained glass painting and making has been submitted to the UK’s new living heritage inventory, which if approved will provide formal recognition and aid in safeguarding this traditional skill.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 15 June (HL505), what plans they have to provide further support to stained glass artists.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

Heritage skills, such as in stained glass, are an important part of our country’s heritage. The Government is investing significantly in apprenticeships through the Growth and Skills Levy, and in arts and heritage capital projects during this Parliament with nearly £200m of new funding over four years to support heritage.

This capital investment will support the pipeline of heritage construction projects and provide training and career opportunities in heritage skills. The Heritage Minister convened skills roundtables with the sector to encourage and support their commitment to building a sustainable skills pipeline.

DCMS is in discussions with Skills England, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions to consider how the Growth and Skills Levy continues to support heritage-specific occupations.

Stained glass painting and making has been submitted to the UK’s new living heritage inventory, which if approved will provide formal recognition and aid in safeguarding this traditional skill.

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Found: 09176 Department for Work and Pensions Annual Report and Accounts 2025–26 Accountability report Baroness Sherlock

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Found: as Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education Baroness Sherlock

Found: as Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education Baroness Sherlock

Found: as Minister of State in the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education Baroness Sherlock

Found: 55 List of Ministers’ Interests - July 2026 The Baroness Sherlock

Found: Letter dated 06/07/2026 from Baroness Sherlock to Baroness Monckton regarding the length of job coach

Found: Letter dated 01/07/2026 from Baroness Sherlock to Baroness Morris of Yardley regarding points raised