Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to include addressing systemic and administrative challenges, such as fluctuating conditions, assessment quality, appeal outcomes and interaction with health services, within the scope of the terms of reference for the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Timms Review will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, to ensure that expertise from a wide range of perspectives is drawn upon.

On 30 October, the Government published revised Terms of Reference on GOV.UK which set out further details about its scope. The Review will include consideration of:

• the role of PIP – as the future single gateway to health-related and disability benefits – in enabling disabled people and those with long-term conditions to live independently and fully participate in society
• the assessment criteria – including activities, descriptors and associated points – to consider whether these effectively capture the impact of long-term health conditions and disability in the modern world. The Review will consider both the Daily Living and Mobility elements of PIP
• whether any other evidence should be considered alongside the functional assessment to fairly reflect the impact of living with a long-term health condition or disability, including related to an individual’s personal circumstances and environment
• how the PIP assessment could provide fair access to the right support at the right level across the benefits system
• what role the assessment could and should play in unlocking wider support to better achieve higher living standards and greater independence

We also announced that the Review will be co-chaired by the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms, alongside Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. They will oversee a steering group responsible for leading the co-production process, setting the Review's strategic direction, priorities and workplan. The group will be made up of a majority of disabled people or representatives of disabled people's organisations and will be recruited through an open and transparent Expression of Interest process.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment will examine opportunities to improve assessment accuracy and reduce duplication by modernising delivery, including through the use of digital integration with NHS data and other public services.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Timms Review will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, to ensure that expertise from a wide range of perspectives is drawn upon.

On 30 October, the Government published revised Terms of Reference on GOV.UK which set out further details about its scope. The Review will include consideration of:

• the role of PIP – as the future single gateway to health-related and disability benefits – in enabling disabled people and those with long-term conditions to live independently and fully participate in society
• the assessment criteria – including activities, descriptors and associated points – to consider whether these effectively capture the impact of long-term health conditions and disability in the modern world. The Review will consider both the Daily Living and Mobility elements of PIP
• whether any other evidence should be considered alongside the functional assessment to fairly reflect the impact of living with a long-term health condition or disability, including related to an individual’s personal circumstances and environment
• how the PIP assessment could provide fair access to the right support at the right level across the benefits system
• what role the assessment could and should play in unlocking wider support to better achieve higher living standards and greater independence

We also announced that the Review will be co-chaired by the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Stephen Timms, alongside Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. They will oversee a steering group responsible for leading the co-production process, setting the Review's strategic direction, priorities and workplan. The group will be made up of a majority of disabled people or representatives of disabled people's organisations and will be recruited through an open and transparent Expression of Interest process.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government why the terms of reference of the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment state that the purpose of the review is not to generate proposals for future savings; and whether improving value for money and reducing inefficiency remains a priority in the design of disability benefits.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government is committed to spending public money as effectively as possible to support disabled people in living independent and fulfilling lives. The aim of the Review is to ensure we have a system that supports disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish the full findings, evidence base and consultation responses of the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment, in addition to the outcomes.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Timms Review will report its findings to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for decision in autumn 2026, with an interim update expected ahead of this.

As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and Disability set out to the House of Commons on the 9 July, the Government will report the Review's outcomes to Parliament.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure a balance of perspectives among the chairs and steering group members of the review of Personal Independent Payment, and whether they will consider members with backgrounds in operational delivery, systems reform and efficiency.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government is committed to ensuring that the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) draws on a wide range of perspectives and expertise.

On 30 October the Minister for Social Security and Disability announced that he would co-chair the Review alongside Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise and experience in health and disability issues, as well as the co-production process.

Members of the steering group will be recruited through an open Expression of Interest process, which is now live. The EOI has been designed to ensure the steering group reflects a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds. The t applications will be sifted against the criteria set out in the EOI, including experience and expertise in disability and social security issues, working with disabled people, commitment to working collaboratively and inclusively, and ability to evaluate a range of evidence and engage with complex policy issues.

The steering group will not work alone: it will oversee a wider programme of participation to ensure the full range of views and voices are heard.

The Review will report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by autumn 2026, with an interim update expected ahead of that.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the comments of the Minister for Pensions on the Making Money podcast on 17 November, whether the Pensions Commission is scheduled to report within 12 months; and what is the expected date of publication.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Pensions Commission has been tasked with considering how to deliver financial security in retirement and support those approaching retirement through a pensions framework that is strong, fair and sustainable. The Pensions Commission is expected to publish its final report in early 2027.

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Found: ; Viscount Hanworth; Baroness Janke; Lord Mawson; Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer; Viscount Younger of Leckie

Found: ; Viscount Hanworth; Baroness Janke; Lord Mawson; Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer; Viscount Younger of Leckie