Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance her Department has issued to staff at Health and Disability Assessment centres in (a) Carmarthen and (b) Swansea on disabled access at appointments for claimants.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Guidance requires Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) personnel to consider the needs of individuals when arranging assessment appointments. If an individual believes they will have any difficulties attending their appointment they should discuss this with CHDA as soon as possible, using the contact details on their appointment letter.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether disabled claimants have access to face-to-face support in Jobcentres when Health and Disability Assessments centres are not accessible to those claimants.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) is advised to consider the needs of individuals when arranging assessment appointments. If an individual believes they will have any difficulties attending their appointment they should discuss this with CHDA as soon as possible, using the contact details on their appointment letter.
There are a range of provisions in place to ensure assessments are accessible to individuals, in line with the standards under the Equality Act 2010. If a particular Assessment Centre is not accessible to an individual, CHDA can make alternative arrangements for them to visit a different Assessment Centre or arrange for them to be assessed at home. Each case is assessed on the individual merits of the case. Travel expenses to the Assessment Centre will be paid.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the cost to the public purse was of providing free television licences to people over the age of 75 for qualifying residents in (a) Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency and (b) Carmarthenshire local authority area and (c) Wales in (i) 2017-18 and (ii) 2018-19.
Answered by Guy Opperman
In the 2015 funding settlement, the Government agreed with the BBC that responsibility for the concession will transfer to the BBC in June 2020.
The government and the BBC agreed this is a fair deal for the BBC - in return we closed the iPlayer loophole and committed to increase the licence fee in line with inflation. And to help with financial planning, we agreed to provide phased transitional funding over 2 years to gradually introduce the cost to the BBC.
This reform was subject to public discussion and debated extensively during the passage of the Digital Economy Act 2017 through Parliament.
On 10 June 2019, the BBC announced that the current scheme will end. From 1 June 2020, a free TV licence will only be available to a household with someone aged over 75 who receives Pension Credit.
The table below provides estimates of the costs for 2017/18 of providing free TV licences to people aged 75 and over in the geographical areas requested, in nominal prices. The figures for 2018/19 will be available in September.
| Expenditure (£m) (Nominal) |
| 2017-18 |
(a) Carmarthen East and Dinefwr constituency | £0.93 |
(b) Carmarthenshire local authority area | £2.29 |
(c) Wales | £34.11 |
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people identifying as having a primary condition of epilepsy have been awarded personal independence payment (a) after mandatory reconsideration of their initial assessment and (b) at a tribunal in each year since 2013.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The information requested for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Cases where Epilepsy was listed as a Main Disability can be found in the table below.
Table: PIP claimants with a primary disabling condition of Epilepsy - initial decisions where PIP was awarded or disallowed after a PIP assessment, and decisions changed/overturned at the Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) or Appeals stage, by financial year of initial decision, Great Britain.
Financial Year of Initial Decision | All Initial PIP Decisions | Initial Decisions Awarded | Initial Decisions – | Of Initial Decisions Disallowed: | |
MR – | Appeal – Decision Overturned | ||||
2013/14 | 1,050 | 650 | 410 | 30 | 20 |
2014/15 | 9,810 | 4,650 | 5,160 | 210 | 450 |
2015/16 | 9,290 | 2,670 | 6,620 | 190 | 930 |
2016/17 | 14,740 | 4,440 | 10,300 | 430 | 2,210 |
2017/18 | 14,770 | 5,490 | 9,280 | 760 | 1,690 |
2018/19 | 11,300 | 7,180 | 4,120 | 350 | 150 |
Since PIP was introduced 3.9m decisions have been made in Great Britain across all health conditions up to December 2018, of these 10% have been appealed and 5% have been overturned.
Under PIP, 27 per cent of working age claimants with epilepsy recorded as their primary disabling condition receive the highest level of support compared to 6 per cent under Disability Living Allowance when PIP was introduced
Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics. The disability subgroup of Epilepsy in the PIP Computer System includes Cataplexy, Generalised seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months), Generalised seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months), Narcolepsy, Partial seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months), Partial seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months) and Seizures - unclassified. In the application process, claimants’ primary disabling condition is only recorded for collation by the Department at assessment.
PIP data includes normal rules and special rules for the terminally ill claimants, and is for new claims only, and therefore excludes DLA reassessment claims.
Data has been rounded to the nearest 10.
Appeals data taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information. Therefore this data may differ from that held by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service for various reasons such as delays in data recording and other methodological differences in collating and preparing statistics.
Decisions overturned at appeal may include a number of appeals that have been lapsed (which is where DWP changed the decision after an appeal was lodged but before it was heard at Tribunal).
Some decisions which are changed at MR, and where the claimant continues to appeal for a higher PIP award, are then changed again at tribunal appeal. Therefore, the number of people who had a decision changed at MR and the number of people who had a decision changed at tribunal appeal cannot be added together.
Claimants who have received benefit decisions more recently may not yet have had time to complete the claimant journey and progress to appeal.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new personal independence payment (PIP) claimants with epilepsy have had their PIP decisions overturned in their favour as a result of an appeal hearing since April 2013.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The information requested for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) New Claims where Epilepsy was listed as a Main Disability in Great Britain can be found in the table below.
Table: PIP new claims for claimants with a primary disabling condition of Epilepsy - initial decisions where PIP was awarded or not, and decisions changed/overturned at the Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) or Appeals stage, by financial year of initial decision.
|
|
|
| All Initial Decisions, of which: | |
Financial year of initial decision | Initial Decisions Allowed | Initial Decisions – Disallowed due to failing the assessment | Total | MR – Decision Changed | Appeal – Decision Overturned at Hearing |
2013/14 | 640 | 410 | 1,050 | 50 | 10 |
2014/15 | 3,230 | 4,320 | 7,550 | 200 | 280 |
2015/16 | 1,110 | 4,440 | 5,550 | 130 | 370 |
2016/17 | 990 | 4,190 | 5,170 | 120 | 400 |
2017/18 | 1,780 | 4,380 | 6,160 | 270 | 400 |
2018/19 | 2,920 | 2,200 | 5,130 | 120 | 30 |
Total Decisions | 10,670 | 19,940 | 30,600 | 880 | 1,490 |
Since PIP was introduced 3.9m decisions have been made in Great Britain across all health conditions up to December 2018, of these 10% have been appealed and 5% have been overturned.
Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics. The disability subgroup of Epilepsy in the PIP Computer System includes Cataplexy, Generalised seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months), Generalised seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months), Narcolepsy, Partial seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months), Partial seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months) and Seizures - unclassified. In the application process, claimants’ primary disabling condition is only recorded for collation by the Department at assessment.
PIP data includes normal rules and special rules for the terminally ill claimants, and is for new claims only, and therefore excludes DLA reassessment claims.
Data has been rounded to the nearest 10.
Appeals data taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information. Therefore this data may differ from that held by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service for various reasons such as delays in data recording and other methodological differences in collating and preparing statistics.
MR and appeals data include people who were awarded PIP at initial decision. An appeal can only be made against a decision which have gone through the MR process. The number of people who had a decision changed at MR and the number of people who had a decision changed at a tribunal appeal cannot be added together.
Claimants who have received benefit decisions more recently may not yet have had time to complete the claimant journey and progress to appeal.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new personal independence payment (PIP) claimants with epilepsy have had their PIP decisions overturned in their favour as a result of a mandatory reconsideration since April 2013.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The information requested for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) New Claims where Epilepsy was listed as a Main Disability in Great Britain can be found in the table below.
Table: PIP new claims for claimants with a primary disabling condition of Epilepsy - initial decisions where PIP was awarded or not, and decisions changed/overturned at the Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) or Appeals stage, by financial year of initial decision.
|
|
|
| All Initial Decisions, of which: | |
Financial year of initial decision | Initial Decisions Allowed | Initial Decisions – Disallowed due to failing the assessment | Total | MR – Decision Changed | Appeal – Decision Overturned at Hearing |
2013/14 | 640 | 410 | 1,050 | 50 | 10 |
2014/15 | 3,230 | 4,320 | 7,550 | 200 | 280 |
2015/16 | 1,110 | 4,440 | 5,550 | 130 | 370 |
2016/17 | 990 | 4,190 | 5,170 | 120 | 400 |
2017/18 | 1,780 | 4,380 | 6,160 | 270 | 400 |
2018/19 | 2,920 | 2,200 | 5,130 | 120 | 30 |
Total Decisions | 10,670 | 19,940 | 30,600 | 880 | 1,490 |
Since PIP was introduced 3.9m decisions have been made in Great Britain across all health conditions up to December 2018, of these 10% have been appealed and 5% have been overturned.
Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics. The disability subgroup of Epilepsy in the PIP Computer System includes Cataplexy, Generalised seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months), Generalised seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months), Narcolepsy, Partial seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months), Partial seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months) and Seizures - unclassified. In the application process, claimants’ primary disabling condition is only recorded for collation by the Department at assessment.
PIP data includes normal rules and special rules for the terminally ill claimants, and is for new claims only, and therefore excludes DLA reassessment claims.
Data has been rounded to the nearest 10.
Appeals data taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information. Therefore this data may differ from that held by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service for various reasons such as delays in data recording and other methodological differences in collating and preparing statistics.
MR and appeals data include people who were awarded PIP at initial decision. An appeal can only be made against a decision which have gone through the MR process. The number of people who had a decision changed at MR and the number of people who had a decision changed at a tribunal appeal cannot be added together.
Claimants who have received benefit decisions more recently may not yet have had time to complete the claimant journey and progress to appeal.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new personal independence payment claimants with epilepsy have had their claim (a) accepted and (b) rejected since April 2013.
Answered by Justin Tomlinson
The information requested for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) New Claims where Epilepsy was listed as a Main Disability in Great Britain can be found in the table below.
Table: PIP new claims for claimants with a primary disabling condition of Epilepsy - initial decisions where PIP was awarded or not, and decisions changed/overturned at the Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) or Appeals stage, by financial year of initial decision.
|
|
|
| All Initial Decisions, of which: | |
Financial year of initial decision | Initial Decisions Allowed | Initial Decisions – Disallowed due to failing the assessment | Total | MR – Decision Changed | Appeal – Decision Overturned at Hearing |
2013/14 | 640 | 410 | 1,050 | 50 | 10 |
2014/15 | 3,230 | 4,320 | 7,550 | 200 | 280 |
2015/16 | 1,110 | 4,440 | 5,550 | 130 | 370 |
2016/17 | 990 | 4,190 | 5,170 | 120 | 400 |
2017/18 | 1,780 | 4,380 | 6,160 | 270 | 400 |
2018/19 | 2,920 | 2,200 | 5,130 | 120 | 30 |
Total Decisions | 10,670 | 19,940 | 30,600 | 880 | 1,490 |
Since PIP was introduced 3.9m decisions have been made in Great Britain across all health conditions up to December 2018, of these 10% have been appealed and 5% have been overturned.
Data is based on primary disabling condition as recorded on the PIP computer system. Claimants may often have multiple disabling conditions upon which the decision is based but only the primary condition is shown in these statistics. The disability subgroup of Epilepsy in the PIP Computer System includes Cataplexy, Generalised seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months), Generalised seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months), Narcolepsy, Partial seizures (with status epilepticus in last 12 months), Partial seizures (without status epilepticus in last 12 months) and Seizures - unclassified. In the application process, claimants’ primary disabling condition is only recorded for collation by the Department at assessment.
PIP data includes normal rules and special rules for the terminally ill claimants, and is for new claims only, and therefore excludes DLA reassessment claims.
Data has been rounded to the nearest 10.
Appeals data taken from the DWP PIP computer system’s management information. Therefore this data may differ from that held by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service for various reasons such as delays in data recording and other methodological differences in collating and preparing statistics.
MR and appeals data include people who were awarded PIP at initial decision. An appeal can only be made against a decision which have gone through the MR process. The number of people who had a decision changed at MR and the number of people who had a decision changed at a tribunal appeal cannot be added together.
Claimants who have received benefit decisions more recently may not yet have had time to complete the claimant journey and progress to appeal.