Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has estimated the cost of (a) audio and (b) video recording assessments for personal independence payment and employment support allowance; and if she will make a statement.

As part of our commitment to improving the PIP assessment process we are exploring options to record PIP assessments, but do not yet have any estimated costs for this activity. Audio recording of Work Capability Assessments is already available to Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit claimants. Since Centre for Health and Disability Assessments took over the contract to deliver Work Capability Assessments there has not been a need to purchase new recording units so an up-to-date cost estimate cannot be provided.