Oral Answers to Questions

Philip Hollobone Excerpts

Monday 17th October 2016 Commons Chamber

[Richard Harrington]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, this was looked into by the Turner review and by many people and institutions since. Automatic enrolment is in place, which is a great step forward. Millions of people have now enrolled. I hope that, as time evolves, this will become the main form of pension for people other than the new state pension.

[Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)]

17. What proportion of (a) personal independence payment and (b) employment support allowance applications are awarded on appeal to a tribunal.

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Penny Mordaunt)]

For PIP, it is 3%; and for ESA, it is 14%.

[Mr Hollobone]

What main reasons has the Minister identified for why valid claims are ending up in the tribunal, and what changes to procedures can she suggest so that the Department awards these valid applications either in the first place or on reconsideration?

[Penny Mordaunt]

As I stated previously, we have been doing some work in this area. One of the key things that will help is ensuring that we have more flexibility early on in the process so that where cases are complex, the evidence is submitted. There is also huge scope for using the information that the Government, and different parts of the Government, have to cut down on the bureaucracy altogether. The Green Paper will look at all these issues.