MPs push for more reforms of disabled benefits process
MPS AND campaigners have urged the Government to go further in reforming benefits for disabled people after ministers published their response to a major review.
The Department for Work and Pensions has pledged to make recording assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) a standard part of the process.
This is one of the recommendations the Government has accepted after an inquiry by the Work and Pensions select committee into PIP and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
However, ministers rejected other recommendations in areas such as collecting evidence and ensuring claimants are sent a copy of their assessment report.
The Department for Work and Pensions said the committee’s inquiry showed that assessments worked well for the vast majority of people, and it was committed to putting transparency at the heart of the process.
Labour MP Frank Field, chairman of the select committee, said recording PIP assessments as standard was “a tremendous step forward”.
“The process relies on trust, and our inquiry found it sorely lacking. This move should go a long way to restoring trust and driving up the quality of assessments,” added the former welfare minister. “But the response falls short in several areas. For example, we think claimants should always receive their assessment reports without having to ask, and we are concerned that the Government lacks the levers to get value for money out of its private contractors.
“This response marks the start of another stage in our work on PIP and ESA – we will use House of Commons debates to push the Government to go further in support of disabled people.”
Nearly 3,500 people provided evidence to the committee about their experience of PIP and ESA, in what Mr Field said was an unprecedented response.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: “As the committee highlights, assessments work well for the vast majority of people. But one person’s poor experience is one too many, and we’re committed to continuously improving the process for people so that they get the support they need.
“We’ll continue to take forward our actions to improve assessments, with an emphasis on promoting transparency and ensuring people get the right decision, first time round.”
The process relies on trust and our inquiry found it sorely lacking. Frank Field, chairman of the Department for Work and Pensions select committee.