Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of repeated disability benefit assessments on the mental and physical wellbeing of claimants, including people with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental conditions; and whether her Department has assessed the potential merits of considering evidence of a long-term health condition or disability submitted through an assessment for a different welfare benefit, including across applications for Personal Independence Payment and Universal Credit.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The Timms Review is considering the role of PIP in enabling disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to live independently and participate fully in society, and how it can remain fair and fit for the future. Listening to the lived experience and expertise of disabled people, including concerns about repeat assessments, is critical to the Review’s success. The Review will report its recommendations to the Secretary of State in the Autumn.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she will review the rules on the suspension of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) after 28 days in hospital; and if she will introduce provisions to allow the exercise of discretion where a claimant’s stay is prolonged due to delays in discharge and where they continue to incur disability-related expenses during that period.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
Where an adult age 18 or over is maintained free of charge while undergoing medical or other treatment as an in-patient in a hospital or similar institution funded by the NHS, payment of (but not entitlement to) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) ceases after 28 days.
This is on the basis that the NHS is responsible for not only the person’s medical care but also the entirety of their disability-related extra costs and to pay PIP in addition would be a duplication of public funds intended for the same purpose. Once someone is discharged from hospital, payment of PIP recommences from the date of discharge. These are statutory arrangements, common to the extra costs benefits.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department has taken to consider the needs of young people with (a) disabilities, (b) learning difficulties, and (c) communication needs who may be unable to advocate for themselves during Personal Independence Payment assessments; what guidance his Department provides on scheduling assessments at times suitable for families; and whether the Department plans to review its processes to ensure equitable access for young people to (i) education and (ii) benefit support.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The department is committed to ensuring that young people, particularly those with disabilities, learning difficulties and communication needs, can access Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and wider support effectively.
Assessment suppliers must consider individual needs and vulnerabilities, including for those who may struggle to advocate for themselves. They are required to offer reasonable adjustments where needed, such as allowing support from a parent or companion, adapting communication methods, and ensuring assessments are sensitive to cognitive or communication needs. Evidence from carers, healthcare professionals and education providers may also be used where appropriate.
Suppliers are expected to provide flexibility in appointment scheduling. Claimants or their representatives can request alternative times, and reasonable efforts should be made to accommodate these.
The department has not issued specific guidance to schools about the recording of absences for benefit assessments. Attendance policies are a matter for schools and local authorities. However, it recognises the importance of minimising disruption to education and appointment time or date will always be changed if necessary.
The department keeps its processes under review to ensure access to benefits and reduce barriers to education, including ongoing engagement with stakeholders. It will continue to consider improvements to support transitions from Disability Living Allowance to PIP and ensure young people receive the support they are entitled to while maintaining access to education.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason young people transitioning from Disability Living Allowance to Personal Independence Payment at the age of 16 are required to be available for telephone assessments during school hours; what assessment his Department has made of the impact of this requirement on their school attendance; and what guidance his Department has issued to schools regarding the recording of absence for attendance at such assessments.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The department is committed to ensuring that young people, particularly those with disabilities, learning difficulties and communication needs, can access Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and wider support effectively.
Assessment suppliers must consider individual needs and vulnerabilities, including for those who may struggle to advocate for themselves. They are required to offer reasonable adjustments where needed, such as allowing support from a parent or companion, adapting communication methods, and ensuring assessments are sensitive to cognitive or communication needs. Evidence from carers, healthcare professionals and education providers may also be used where appropriate.
Suppliers are expected to provide flexibility in appointment scheduling. Claimants or their representatives can request alternative times, and reasonable efforts should be made to accommodate these.
The department has not issued specific guidance to schools about the recording of absences for benefit assessments. Attendance policies are a matter for schools and local authorities. However, it recognises the importance of minimising disruption to education and appointment time or date will always be changed if necessary.
The department keeps its processes under review to ensure access to benefits and reduce barriers to education, including ongoing engagement with stakeholders. It will continue to consider improvements to support transitions from Disability Living Allowance to PIP and ensure young people receive the support they are entitled to while maintaining access to education.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the Department’s policy of prioritising new Universal Credit claimants for Work Capability Assessments on existing claimants seeking a reassessment from Limited Capability for Work to Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity; and what steps are being taken to reduce waiting times for those reassessments.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The number of outstanding claimants awaiting Work Capability Assessment (WCA) reassessment has been significantly reduced, with 97% of pre-May 2025 cases now cleared. The remaining reassessments continue to be progressed, and we expect processing times to improve further as assessment capacity increases
The department is taking a number of steps to increase the capacity of the Health Assessment Advisory Service to deliver WCAs, including reassessments for existing Universal Credit (UC) claimants. This includes the recruitment and training of additional healthcare professionals across all assessment suppliers, alongside improvements to workforce planning to better align available resources with demand. The department continues to monitor assessment volumes closely and works with suppliers to ensure sufficient capacity is in place to reduce waiting times and support timely reassessment activity.
The department prioritises WCAs for new claims in order to minimise waiting times and ensure that individuals receive the correct benefit entitlement as early as possible. We recognise that some existing claimants may experience delays when awaiting reassessment and continue to keep the impact of these arrangements under review while taking steps to improve overall assessment capacity and reduce waiting times.
Claimants awaiting reassessment continue to receive their existing rate of benefit in the meantime. Where a reassessment results in entitlement to a higher rate of benefit, any increase due will be backdated in line with the date entitlement arose.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress has been made in clearing the waiting list of Work Capability Assessments for existing Universal Credit claimants awaiting reassessment; and whether there are plans to increase the number of qualified assessors to ensure timely access to LCWRA decisions for those whose conditions have deteriorated.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)
The number of outstanding claimants awaiting Work Capability Assessment (WCA) reassessment has been significantly reduced, with 97% of pre-May 2025 cases now cleared. The remaining reassessments continue to be progressed, and we expect processing times to improve further as assessment capacity increases
The department is taking a number of steps to increase the capacity of the Health Assessment Advisory Service to deliver WCAs, including reassessments for existing Universal Credit (UC) claimants. This includes the recruitment and training of additional healthcare professionals across all assessment suppliers, alongside improvements to workforce planning to better align available resources with demand. The department continues to monitor assessment volumes closely and works with suppliers to ensure sufficient capacity is in place to reduce waiting times and support timely reassessment activity.
The department prioritises WCAs for new claims in order to minimise waiting times and ensure that individuals receive the correct benefit entitlement as early as possible. We recognise that some existing claimants may experience delays when awaiting reassessment and continue to keep the impact of these arrangements under review while taking steps to improve overall assessment capacity and reduce waiting times.
Claimants awaiting reassessment continue to receive their existing rate of benefit in the meantime. Where a reassessment results in entitlement to a higher rate of benefit, any increase due will be backdated in line with the date entitlement arose.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of recent changes to Apprenticeship Levy funding on Level 7 Senior Leader apprenticeships.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57098.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in relation to the statutory guidance on fiduciary duties announced during Report stage of the Pension Schemes Bill on 3 December 2025, when he will consult on the guidance; and when the guidance will take effect.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government intends to consult formally on draft guidance later this year.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will introduce flexibility in the Apprenticeship Levy to allow NHS staff who are made redundant to (a) continue, (b) pause, and (c) re-enter levy-funded leadership apprenticeships, particularly where redundancy occurs immediately prior to the start of a programme.
Answered by Andrew Western - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
If an apprentice is made redundant and their training provider can continue to deliver their government funded apprenticeship training, we will continue to fund the apprenticeship training for at least 12 weeks following redundancy. This is to give the individual time to find alternative employment in order to continue with the apprenticeship.
If the apprentice is unable to secure a new employer, they may still be able to finish their apprenticeship training and assessment if they have less than 6 months of training left to complete or have finished 75% or more of their training.
If an individual has been made redundant prior to the commencement of the apprenticeship, then they are not eligible for funding.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he plans to take to ensure that planned guidance on fiduciary duties for the trust-based private pensions sector provides effective clarity to trustees.
Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave on 22 January 2026 to PQ 106678.