Yesterday I was in the House of Commons for the urgent question on the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) amendments. Recent legal cases have broadened the way the PIP assessment criteria are interpreted, and the ruling meant there was need to clarify the criteria to restore the original aim of the policy and make sure the government continues giving the most support to those who need it most.
I have received a significant amount of correspondence from concerned residents in relation to PIP and the assessment process, so I was happy to put those utmost issues to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. I understand the anxieties suffered by a number of claimants following these amendments, so I felt it important to obtain the necessary reassurances, particularly around the point that no changes have or will be made to payments already confirmed.
However, more particularly I wanted to highlight the major concerns on behalf of those impacted in Rochester and Strood, and ask what steps are being taken to ensure that PIP assessments are high quality and that people are properly supported through the process.
I am pleased the Secretary of State confirmed that standards are on the increase and remain a key priority as part of the welcome PIP Improvement Plan, which has been credited with the reduction of the backlog issues since 2014. It is vital that claimant assessments are conducted with the highest level of quality and support no matter their circumstance or issues, and I stand ready to pursue this matter as it progresses.