Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the oral contribution of the hon. Member for Oldham East and Saddleworth, of 6 March 2019, Official Report, column 969, what plans she has to change the culture of her Department.

As set out in the Secretary of State’s speech, the Department is committed to continue helping disabled people to achieve their potential and lead positive flourishing lives

We have listened to, and acted on a number of concerns raised by our customers and stakeholders, which includes stopping those who have been awarded the highest level of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), whose needs are unlikely to decrease, now receive an ongoing award – with only a light touch review a decade later and SPA announcement. We have also listened to the feedback from claimants about their experience of assessments which is why we are now trialling the video recording of PIP assessments.

However, there is more that we need to do, which is why we have announced it is our ambition to go further, to listen and reform effectively to deliver policies, strategies and structures that are co-produced with disabled people.