Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Personal Independence Payment Administrative Exercise data release of 4 July 2019, what accounts for the difference between her Department’s original Equality Impact Assessment in 2017 of 14 per cent of claimants being affected following review, and the figures published by her Department showing that only 0.8 per cent of cases have received an increased award after being reviewed.

Our published estimates were produced before knowing the full detail of which claimants would be eligible for additional payments following the MH legal judgment.

There was significant uncertainty around the estimates prior to the start of the administrative exercise in June 2018, from which point we had revised guidance in place to reflect the judgment, having consulted with key stakeholders. Our estimates remain subject to change as we monitor the outcomes of the exercise.

We are intent on making sure everyone who is affected by the judgement is identified and are committed to ensuring that disabled people get the support they are entitled to.