Overview

• Minister Sir Stephen Timms told MPs the DWP will increase health professionals in assessment centres to boost in-person consultations.
• An FOI showed around 70,000 phone assessments took place in June, accounting for 75.6% of all PIP consultations that month.
• Ministers said the department has already raised the share of face-to-face assessments and is working with providers to grow capacity.
• Telephone and video assessments will continue to be offered to claimants who require alternatives to attending a centre.
• Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello reported constituents experiencing severe anxiety from repeated phone assessments, pressing for resources to expand in-person options.