Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Contracted-out Health Assessments

Monday 27 January 2020 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions took place on 2020-01-27 regarding contracted-out health assessments for ESA and PIP.
  • Mary Glindon inquired about the accuracy and efficiency of these assessments and how issues faced by claimants would be addressed.
  • The Department reported satisfaction rates of 92% under work capability assessment and 82% under PIP, and noted an additional 6 billion investment for personal independence payments.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Glindon Lab North Tyneside
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Contracts with companies like Atos, Capita, and Maximus are under scrutiny due to failures in meeting targets.

Question

What recent assessment has the Department made of the accuracy and efficiency of contracted out health assessments for ESA and PIP? Additionally, will the Minister explain how the Department plans to address the issues faced by claimants and why companies failing to meet standards continue to receive multimillion-pound contracts?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson (Minister of State for Disabled People, Work and Pensions)

We are committed to high-quality assessments and monitor providers against measures including independent audit. We have 92% satisfaction under work capability assessment and 82% under PIP. The Department is spending an additional £6 billion through personal independence payments to support vulnerable individuals, and we will continue to work with claimants, stakeholders, and charities to improve the experience.

Answered
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