Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which staff at his Department are responsible for overseeing PIP assessors; and whether those staff are able to receive bonuses.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments are carried out by contracted assessment suppliers. Staff within the Department for Work and Pensions are responsible for monitoring and managing the performance of these suppliers.

DWP contract management staff are responsible for monitoring service delivery against contractual targets and for operating the independent auditing of assessments. This includes oversight of the quality of reports submitted by health professionals working for the assessment suppliers.

DWP staff also undertake work to monitor and manage assessment suppliers' performance as part of its responsibilities under the PIP assessment contracts.

These civil servants are part of the wider DWP workforce and, like other staff in the department, are eligible to receive performance‑related bonuses in line with Civil Service pay arrangements.