Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect on the level of indebtedness of people in Warrington of waiting times for personal independence payment appeal hearings in local county courts.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to act as a contribution towards the extra costs that arise as a result of a long-term health condition or disability. There are nine possible award outcomes and, where applicable, claimants continue to receive their award during the appeal process. Whilst it is acknowledged that waiting for an appeal to be heard can be stressful, equally it would be wrong to pay the benefit at a rate other than that which has already been determined within the law.