Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of Personal Independence Payment recipients who use that payment to fund social care.

A Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is intended to provide a tax-free, cash contribution to help people with a long-term health condition or disability with their additional, disability-related costs. It can be paid at one of eight rates, from between £29.20 and £187.45 a week, depending on the needs arising. It is not means-tested and can be paid in addition to any other support received. PIP can be used by the recipient according to their own needs and priorities.