Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what venues were used for assessments for (a) employment and support allowance and (b) personal independence payments in the North West of England in 2016; and what the cost was of hiring each such venue.

Throughout 2016, the following 18 venues were used for the delivery of Employment and Support Allowance assessments in the North West. Barrow, Birkenhead, Blackpool, Bootle, Carlisle, Chester, Crewe, Lancaster, Mann Island, St Helens, Warrington, Workington, Bolton, Burnley, Manchester, Preston, Stockport, Wigan.

Throughout 2016, the following 29 venues were used for the delivery of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) assessments in the North West. Wigan, Carlisle, Stockport, Manchester Brewery Yard, Barrow, Liverpool, Blackpool, Blackburn, Crewe, Warrington, Birkenhead, Preston Marshall House, Preston GreenbankCentre, Ormskirk, Lancaster, Manchester The Lilac Centre, Rochdale, Bolton, Prescot Eccleston House, Birkenhead, Chester, Childwall, Warrington, Anfield, Carlisle, PrescotPhysio First, Stockport, Runcorn, Burnley

Under the Health and Disability Assessment Service contract the DWP provides the estate and pays an all-inclusive unitary price for the facility management services provided. Rental costs are not separately identified from other services delivered.

Under the PIP contract the supplier sources the estate and costs are included in the contract price.