Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Brown Excerpts

Monday 22nd June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Justin Tomlinson]

That is why we launched the Disability Confident campaign and why we will continue to drive it forward. I met Liz Sayce of Disability Rights UK. She made it very clear to me: she said that, too often, disabled people are seen as recipients when they want to be net contributors. Local initiatives, sharing best practice, busting the myths and ensuring that people see what a huge amount of talent is available will continue to help to drive up disability employment rates.

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

5. What assessment he has made of the implications for his Department of the High Court ruling in June 2015 on delays in personal independence payments.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Justin Tomlinson)]

We have taken decisive action to speed up waiting times for personal independence payment claims and are pleased that the Court has recognised the huge progress made. The average new PIP claimant now waits only five weeks for an assessment.

[Alan Brown]

Currently, delays to people receiving PIP causes problems, but the impact of delays on other benefits such as the carer’s allowance and blue badges is hugely significant. Although the Government have made progress, will the Minister advise us as to what the backlog is in terms of numbers, and how many people wait more than seven weeks?