Experts questioned on flaws in assessments for disability and health-related benefits
30 November 2021
The Work and Pensions Committee investigates how the assessment process can be improved and made more straightforward for people hoping to claim benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA), which are received by millions of disabled people.
- Watch Parliament TV: Health assessments for benefits
- Inquiry: Health assessments for benefits
- Work and Pensions Committee
Witnesses
Wednesday 1 December
At 9.15am
Panel 1
- Dr Paul Litchfield CBE, Leader of the 2013 and 2014 independent reviews of the Work Capability Assessment, DWP
Panel 2
- Paul Gray CB, Leader of the independent reviews of PIP, DWP
In this session, the cross-party group of MPs is likely to ask why the majority of appeals following a disputed claim for PIP or ESA/Universal Credit end with the appellant winning against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
There will also be questions on why problems with the accuracy of assessments have persisted over recent years despite successive reviews into how they are carried out, and what new ways of carrying out assessments the DWP might look to introduce.
The Committee may also probe the reasons why changes to PIP have led to significant overspends by the Department, despite expectations that they would save money.
Further information
Image: UK Parliament/Gabriel Sainhas