Overview
- The Department for Work and Pensions introduced the policy, which took effect on June 29, 2026, to automatically audio record all face-to-face and telephone health assessments for major disability and sickness benefits.
- The recordings cover Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Work Capability Assessments used in Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance, and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
- Claimants can opt out of being recorded and can request copies of their assessment audio to check what was said or to support an appeal against a benefit decision.
- The DWP says audio files will supplement written decision reports and be used as a learning tool to identify and improve assessment quality, though public reporting did not specify data-retention periods or detailed privacy safeguards.
- The move implements a commitment from the Pathways to Work Green Paper and sits alongside wider DWP reforms that include plans to raise the share of face-to-face PIP and WCA assessments and recruit more staff to ease backlogs.