Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the timeframe is for all assessments for (a) personal independence payment and (b) employment support allowance in Birkenhead to be recorded using audio equipment.

Provided they give advance notice, claimants of ESA and Universal Credit (UC) can already ask for their assessment to be audio recorded and equipment will be provided. Claimants may also use their own equipment provided they meet certain conditions required by DWP.

As part of our commitment to improve the PIP assessment process we are currently progressing options to video record PIP face to face assessments. We are commencing testing in the Summer.