Wednesday 15th March 2017

(7 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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We all know from our own constituency surgeries that there are individual cases that might need to be taken up, sometimes simply because people disagree with a decision, or if there are delays. I am absolutely aware of that. [Interruption.] I point out to the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth (Debbie Abrahams), who is characteristically chuntering from a sedentary position, that the appeal rate against PIP is extremely low, so actually the facts again do not suggest those kind of problems. But we are absolutely keen to improve this. That is why in the coming weeks we will be setting up service user panels precisely so that we get the real world, on-the-ground experience available to the Department that the hon. Lady wishes us to have.

Desmond Swayne Portrait Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)
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It is odd to be asked to pilot something that merely restores the status quo ante—or have I misunderstood the committee’s recommendation?

Damian Green Portrait Damian Green
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I appreciate my right hon. Friend’s concern. The committee makes a number of recommendations, and, as ever with the SSAC, I will take all of those recommendations very seriously and respond to them fully.