Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment his Department has made of the efficiency of the use of audio recording equipment during fitness for work assessments.

I have interpreted the reference to fitness for work assessments as relating to Work Capability Assessments.

Every person who attends a Work Capability Assessment can ask to have their face-to-face assessment audio recorded and all requests will be accommodated where possible. Recording equipment will be provided by the supplier or alternatively claimants can use their own equipment provided they meet certain conditions required by DWP. Despite the very low number of requests for audio recordings the Department will continue to make this service available to those claimants who request it in advance of the assessment.

DWP will continue to keep the audio recording policy under review.