MP urges review of benefits system for disabled that causes ‘distress’

A YORKSHIRE MP said there is “something fundamentally wrong“with the benefits system for disabled people as the majority of rejected claims are overturned on appeal.

Hilary Benn, Labour MP for Leeds Central, has called on the Government to review the system, claiming it is causing people unnecessary “distress and pain”.

During a debate in Parliament this week, he highlighted figures which show appeals made against rejected claims are successful in 67 per cent of personal independence payments (PIP) cases, 65 per cent of disability

living allowance (DLA) cases and 54 per cent of employment and support allowance (ESA) cases.

He added: “If those were the rates for the overturning of crown court decisions – people who were found guilty, and then found innocent – there would be an uproar.

“The Government, and all of us, need to look at why, in so many of the cases that go to the tribunal, the original decision turns out to be wrong?”

The debate also heard the Government spent £120m on challenging disability benefit claims for PIP and ESA between 2017 and 2019.

The Government currently uses two companies to conduct these assessments - Independent Assessment Services and Capita – and claimants are required to submit medical evidence and complete interviews in person or over the phone.

Chloe Smith, a work and pensions minister, said the assessment process for disability benefits is “fair and robust” and decisions are “based on evidence and objective criteria”.

The Conservative MP added: “The benefits system considers the impact that a health condition or disability has on an individual’s ability to work and carry out day-to-day activities.

“Decisions are based on an assessment of an individual’s functional ability, not their diagnosed health conditions.”