Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment the Government has made of the effectiveness of (a) the 20-metre rule, (b) informal observations and (c) the 50 per cent rule for accurately assessing the impact of Multiple sclerosis during Personal Independence Payment assessments.

As referenced in my responses on 21 April 2023, UIN181230, and 24 April 2023, UIN181064:

• We believe the current assessment criteria, including the 20-metre rule, are the best way of identifying people whose physical mobility is most limited and there are no immediate plans to make changes.
• Informal observations are useful in assessing functional capability and there are no current plans to stop this.
• The department closely monitors all aspects of the assessment process, including how we assess fluctuating health conditions like multiple sclerosis, however there are no current plans to remove the 50 per cent rule.