The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has opened registration for 15 workshops across the UK where disabled people and those with long-term health conditions can help shape recommendations for the future of Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The workshops are part of the Timms Review into the disability benefit, and registration closes at 5pm on Friday, August 21.
Workshops follow interim report conclusions
The Review's Interim Report, published in July, concluded that PIP is "no longer fit for purpose". People told the Review that assessment and decision-making processes could be "stressful" and "dehumanising", while PIP itself could create additional barriers to participation and independence despite being widely valued as a benefit.
More than 38,000 responses have already been received following the Review's Call for Evidence. The steering group is now developing its emerging recommendations and wants disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to help test and refine them before the final report is published in autumn.
Who can take part and how to register
The workshops are primarily aimed at disabled people and people living with long-term health conditions. However, carers, family members of disabled people and support workers can also register their interest. No previous experience of taking part in a government review is required.
The 15 workshops will take place online and in person across the UK during September and October, with a full list available on GOV.UK. In Scotland, one in-person workshop is scheduled in Glasgow on September 29, and an online session is set for October 6. Participants will be selected randomly, though the steering group will check that those chosen represent a balanced range of characteristics. Where a particular characteristic is under-represented, applicants with that characteristic will be identified from the wider pool and selected at random to fill the gaps. Selected participants will be informed by September 4.
PIP in Scotland and the Timms Review
PIP has been replaced in Scotland by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), administered by Social Security Scotland. However, the Timms Review workshops are being held across the UK, and people from all parts of the country are invited to take part. The DWP confirmed that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, as well as carers, family members and support workers, are eligible to register their interest.
The Timms Review was launched in October 2025 to consider the future of PIP and ensure the benefit is fair and fit for the future. It is co-chaired by Social Security and Disability Minister Sir Stephen Timms, Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. The Review's Interim Report was published in July, and its final recommendations are due in autumn 2026.
Dr Farquharson said: "Disabled people and people with long term health conditions know better than anyone how PIP works in real life where it helps, where it creates barriers, and where it needs to change. That experience has to be part of shaping what comes next."
He added: "I would encourage anyone with experience of applying for or receiving PIP to register their interest in taking part. The purpose of these workshops is not simply to hear people's experiences, but to test the Review's emerging recommendations against real lives and understand what could make them fairer, clearer and work better in practice."
"Most importantly, I am committed to showing how what people tell us influences the recommendations we ultimately make." Feedback gathered during the workshops will be considered as the Review finalises its recommendations before submitting its report to the UK Government.
