Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect on disabled people's ability to access benefits of the practice of GPs charging fees to individuals with disabilities who request medical letters.

We do not require claimants to seek medical evidence or letters from their GP. If medical evidence is required from a claimant’s GP, the DWP will request it directly.

GPs are able to charge for letters and reports if claimants request them directly, as this is activity they are not contractually required to undertake.