Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Charles Hendry and Mark Harper

Monday 1st September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Harper]

I agree with my hon. Friend. It is a relatively new benefit, and what we are trying to ensure is that in cases where there is clear medical evidence for the impact of someone’s disability, the decision can be made without their having to come in for a face-to-face assessment. That was not happening enough in the earlier stages; it is one of the improvements that we are making.

[Charles Hendry (Wealden) (Con)]

A constituent has contacted me to tell me that when he turned up for his assessment he was told that it had been cancelled because there were too many people waiting, so he was sent home. He then missed two further appointments, arguably through no fault of his own, and has now been refused a further assessment. Will the Minister intervene to ensure that, as the first one was cancelled through no fault of his own and was a result of a mistake by the assessors, a new assessment can be booked for him as soon as possible?

[Mr Harper]

Clearly, I do not know the facts of the case. If my hon. Friend contacts my office after questions, I will of course consider it and see what we can do to ensure that his constituent gets an assessment and that if he is entitled to the benefit, he can receive it.