Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Benefit Claimants: Repeat Assessments

Monday 8 March 2021 · 2 questions

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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial steps include stopping regular assessments for people with severe conditions for work capability assessment and personal independence payment claimants with the highest level of needs.
  • The minister aims to extend the principle of the severe conditions criteria to remove unnecessary assessments where clear evidence is available.
  • Lessons from the current period are being explored to simplify the benefit process for those with confirmed severe conditions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Karl McCartney Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from concerns about repeated assessments that individuals with severe conditions must undergo, which can be distressing and resource-intensive.

Question

What steps is she taking to reduce the number of repeat assessments that benefit claimants with severe conditions are required to undergo?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

We stopped regular assessments for people with severe conditions for work capability assessment and personal independence payment claimants with the highest level of needs which will not improve. We are continuing to remove pensioners on PIP onto ongoing awards at their award review, and the upcoming health and disability Green Paper will consult on further improvements to the assessment process.

Answered
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Q2 Karl McCartney Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question builds on the initial concern about repeated assessments and seeks to identify lessons learned during a difficult period regarding simplifying the assessment process.

Question

As we move towards the end of this difficult period, what lessons can be taken forward regarding the simplification of the benefit process for those in my constituency and across the nation with confirmed severe conditions?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

My hon. Friend raises an important point. One lesson we can take from these unprecedented times is to look to extend the principle of the severe conditions criteria and, where possible, use clear evidence to remove unnecessary assessments. We will explore that further, working with disabled people and health and disability charities, in the upcoming health and disability Green Paper.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures or timelines for simplifying the assessment process were not provided.

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