Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the average waiting time is for a new claim for the Personal Independence Payment to be (a) processed and (b) paid.

In answer to (a), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) processing times are available as part of the PIP Official Statistics quarterly release. The latest release, with data available to July 2022, is available here: tables-pip-statistics-to-july-2022.ods (live.com). Table 1a contains PIP average processing times for new claims under normal rules

We are committed to ensuring that people can access financial support through Personal Independence Payment (PIP) in a timely manner and reducing customer journey times for PIP claimants is a priority for the Department. We always aim to make an award decision as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to review all available evidence.

In answer to (b), the information requested is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.