Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many personal independence payment (PIP) claimants in Scotland over the age of 65 have had their award (a) increased, (b) reduced and (c) unchanged under the PIP review process.

Once a claimant has been awarded Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which can be paid at one of eight rates, that award will be reviewed periodically. Reviews are a key part of the benefit and ensure that not only do awards remain correct where needs may change, including where needs become greater, but that we also maintain contact with the claimant. Importantly, the length of an award is based on an individual’s circumstances and can vary from nine months to an ongoing award, with a light touch review at the ten-year point.

Additionally, in August 2018, we introduced updated guidance for Case Managers which will ensure that those who receive the highest level of support under PIP, and where their needs are unlikely to change or may get worse, will now receive an ongoing award with a light touch review at the ten year point.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.