MP calls for clarity on PIPs

HALTON MP Derek Twigg has pressed Work And Pensions Secretary Damian Green over the assessments system for Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Mr Twigg urged Mr Green to examine the ‘quality and professionalism’ of the tests, which work out the amount of financial support should be provided in relation to long-term illness or disability.

The Labour MP said he ‘just cannot understand why some of the people who have come to see me’ have been refused, adding that he had ‘never come across such difficult cases as those I have seen recently’.

His comments came during a debate on an amendment to the way PIP is paid, prompting accusations from opposition MPs including Stephen Timms that the changes were a cut to payments relating to mental health – a claim denied by Mr Green.

In answer to Mr Twigg’s request to re-examine the quality of the tests, the cabinet minister said: “I am happy to reassure the Hon. Gentleman that I am already doing that.

“As I said in answer to a previous question, the chairman of the SSAC (Social Security Advisory Committee) is doing one of his regular reports on PIP as a whole, and that will focus very much on the quality of assessments.

“I take the Hon. Gentleman’s point, and we are all concerned to ensure that the assessments are not only of high quality but consistent across the country.

“That is an important improvement that I want to see in the system.”