Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact on disabled people and families of engaging simultaneously with multiple benefit, employment support, local authority and assessment processes; and whether he plans to develop a cross-government strategy to reduce administrative duplication and improve coordination between public services for people with complex needs.

The Government recognises that it can sometimes be difficult for disabled people and their families to navigate the complexities of the welfare system. Making it easier will be a key consideration as we take forward reform following the Timms review, Alan Milburn’s work on young people not in education, employment or training and Baroness Casey’s review of adult social care.

We are already looking to modernise Health & Disability benefits over the longer term such as through the Health Transformation Programme which is transforming the entire Personal Independence Payment (PIP) service. This includes a simpler application process, including a digital option, improved evidence gathering and a more tailored journey for customers.

A wish to avoid multiple, overlapping assessments for disabled people has been a topic discussed by the Steering Group for the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment. The Review will report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions this autumn.