Oral Answers to Questions

Mark Jenkinson Excerpts

Monday 9th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Mark Fletcher (Bolsover) (Con)]

13. What steps she is taking to reduce the number of assessments undertaken by claimants with disabilities.

[Mark Jenkinson (Workington) (Con)]

21. What steps she is taking to reduce the number of assessments undertaken by claimants with disabilities.

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Justin Tomlinson)]

As our manifesto set out, we are committed to reducing the number of assessments that disabled people face. That will build on improvements already made, including reducing the frequency of assessments for those with severe or progressive conditions and removing regular reviews for PIP claimants over pension age.

[Justin Tomlinson]

In the coming months, we will launch a Green Paper that will look at claimants’ experience, trust in the process and allowing claimants to lead full and independent lives. We will be doing a full review, working with stakeholders, claimants and charities to identify further areas of improvement on top of what we have already done.

[Mark Jenkinson]

I welcome the Department’s announcement last week that it will create a single, integrated service for PIP applicants and users. Can my hon. Friend confirm that that will make the application process much smoother for my constituents in Workington?

[Justin Tomlinson]

It will give us greater flexibility to try out new ideas that will be identified in the Green Paper, ensuring that we put claimants first.