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 merits of combining the assessment of medical records for Personal Independence Payments and Employment and Support Allowance claimants.

In Improving Lives The Future of Work, Health and Disability, the Government set out its vision for all claimants to experience a streamlined assessment process for both Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance, enabled by secure, timely sharing of relevant data between benefits systems. We are exploring options for data-sharing between these benefits, informed by relevant consultation responses received through the Improving Lives consultation responses.