Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the effect on claimants of having their personal independence payments suspended while awaiting an appeal to the Upper Tribunal requested by his Department.

The payment of a tribunal’s award of Personal Independence Payment will only be suspended where the Secretary of State considers that a tribunal’s decision is wrong in law and that conclusion needs to be tested before the Upper Tribunal. Whilst it must be right not to implement the tribunal’s award during this period, if a claimant can show that this will cause them hardship then any suspension imposed can be lifted and payment made.

Whilst no assessment has been made of this policy, this is a long-standing process which has ensured that benefit is paid only when provided for in law.