Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that personal independence payment assessments are undertaken fairly and efficiently.

We are committed to ensuring claimants receive high quality, objective assessments. The Department holds regular performance meetings with Assessment Providers at local and senior levels. Assessments are independently audited and Departmental clinicians periodically observe assessments. Both providers have increased personalised clinical support to all Health Professionals. PIP Assessment Providers cost less than 4% of the total annual benefit spend on PIP.