The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that the final report of the review into Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be published before the end of this year. The update was given in the House of Commons last week by Sir Stephen Timms, DWP Minister for Social Security and Disability and co-chair of the review.
The latest DWP figures show that around 4.1 million people were claiming the disability benefit at the end of July. The review is examining how PIP operates, including eligibility, assessments and the experience of people making claims. Its findings could inform future changes to the benefit, although no new eligibility rules or payment changes have been announced.
Concerns over ADHD diagnosis rates
During the scheduled DWP oral questions session, Conservative MP Joe Robertson raised concerns about the increasing number of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the potential implications for future PIP applications.
Responding, Sir Stephen said: "The hon. Gentleman will have seen Professor Peter Fonagy's recent report about the incidence of ADHD, autism and other conditions."
"He will also know that I am co-chairing a review of PIP which is looking into how we can ensure that the system meets the very real needs of many disabled people, and that the benefit is on a sustainable financial footing for the future. The report of my review will be published before the end of the year."
Interim report and next steps
The latest confirmation follows the publication of an interim report in July, which outlined the progress of the Timms Review and the areas being considered by its steering group. The DWP said the review was established to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future, while helping disabled people achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment.
The interim report also outlined the group's approach to gathering evidence, engaging with disabled people and examining potential improvements to the benefit. At the time, the DWP indicated that the steering group would present its recommendations to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, in the autumn.
What the review is considering
The review is considering several aspects of PIP, including the purpose of the benefit, how eligibility is determined and whether the assessment process works fairly for people with different conditions and support needs. It is also examining people's experiences of claiming PIP, including the evidence required to support applications and how decisions are made.
Among the issues being considered are the difficulties that people with fluctuating or less visible conditions may experience when demonstrating how their health affects everyday activities. The review is intended to identify possible improvements, but its recommendations have not yet been published. Any proposals arising from the final report would need to be considered by the UK Government before decisions on future changes are made.
PIP is a disability benefit designed to help people with the additional costs associated with a long-term health condition or disability. Eligibility is based on how a person's condition affects their ability to carry out certain daily living and mobility activities, rather than their diagnosis alone. It's important to be aware that PIP has been replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP) for people living in Scotland, so the proposed changes would not immediately apply to ADP.
Emerging recommendations
The emerging recommendations include: keeping cash as the foundation of PIP while considering whether some awards could include services or other non-cash support; reducing the number of unnecessary reviews for people with lifelong or degenerative conditions; ending the stress caused by rules which suspend PIP for people who spend more than 28 consecutive days in hospital; improving how the benefit accounts for fluctuating health conditions; increasing capacity for face-to-face assessments while making more digital services available; introducing an advocacy service to help people communicate why they need support; and creating a basic framework for how decisions are made and appealed.
The review has also made clear that PIP should remain a flexible, non-means tested benefit providing a cash contribution towards the extra costs faced by disabled people and people with long-term health conditions.
