Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Department for Communities on the operation of the contract for Capita Business Services Ltd to carry out Personal Independence Payment assessments in Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments in Northern Ireland are administered by the Department for Communities, and not the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The PIP contract has been managed and monitored by Department for Communities since contract signature, which also includes management of all extension negotiations directly.

DWP continually work with its assessment providers to further improve the PIP assessment process and are keen to share best practices. We regularly engage with Department for Communities to discuss best practice, align process and contract management approaches where possible.