Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to commission a review of the evidence-gathering process for personal independence payments.

We constantly look to review and improve the experience of claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and committed to two, statutory independent reviews as part of the Welfare Reform Act 2012. The latest of these reviews, led by Paul Gray, was published on 30 March 2017: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-pip-assessment-second-independent-review

As part of the review Paul Gray considered how effectively further evidence is being used to assist the correct claim decision, and the speed and effectiveness of information-gathering.

We are currently considering the review’s findings and plan to respond later this year.

In 2016 DWP commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct independent research with PIP claimants covering all aspects of the PIP journey, from initial claim, the assessment process through to mandatory reconsideration and appeal. The first phase of the research, examining the initial claims process, was published in the Department’s research report series in March 2017. Subsequent findings from stages two and three of the research, including findings on assessments and decisions, will be published in late 2017/early 2018 (date to be confirmed).