Overview
- Members of the new Independent Disability Advisory Panel are being asked to sign non‑disclosure agreements, the DWP confirmed.
- The department says NDAs are needed to share sensitive, non‑public information while the panel provides expertise on disability policy linked to the PIP review.
- Labour minister Sir Stephen Timms is leading the assessment of PIP and says a small group of about 10 disability experts will work closely with him and shape recommendations.
- Disability Rights UK and several PIP claimants argue the confidentiality demands undermine transparency and raise fears of changes being developed behind closed doors.
- Labour had paused proposed PIP tightening after a June backbench revolt; PIP currently uses an 8/12 point threshold system and can be worth up to about £800 a month.