Oral Answers to Questions

Heidi Alexander Excerpts

Monday 1st September 2014 Commons Chamber

[Nick Smith (Blaenau Gwent) (Lab)]

3. How long the average wait for an assessment for a personal independence payment was on the latest date for which figures are available.

[Heidi Alexander (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

4. How long the average wait for an assessment for a personal independence payment was on the latest date for which figures are available.

[Bridget Phillipson (Houghton and Sunderland South) (Lab)]

13. How long the average wait for an assessment for a personal independence payment was on the latest date for which figures are available.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Harper]

The Department has not returned any money to the Treasury as a result of the delays. There have been delays in processing these payments. I know they cause issues for constituents, which is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State made a clear commitment to reduce the waiting times by the autumn and then again by the end of the year. One of my top priorities, having started this job in July, is to get that reform process under way so that we can deliver that improved performance to benefit all our constituents.

[Heidi Alexander]

One of my constituents, a single mum who has been undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer, waited over nine months for her PIP claim to be processed. It was sorted out only after my intervention. When will the Minister admit that it is not just how long the claims are taking to process but the fact that the system is utterly shambolic that is causing untold hardship to many people who are already living in very difficult circumstances?

[Mr Harper]

I would say two things. Clearly, I am disappointed to hear about the circumstances that the hon. Lady’s constituent has faced, which is why we are focusing on improving the system. My predecessor, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mike Penning), put a lot of work into improving the position for constituents who have terminal illnesses. We have made significant strides there, reducing processing times almost to the level we would expect, which is a matter of days. We are now focusing on other claims, so that constituents such as those of the hon. Lady will not have to wait for that length of time in the future.