Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what safeguards are in place to prevent the risk of self-diagnosed mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, leading to a rise in sickness benefit claims.

Entitlement to health and disability benefits is determined by the eligibility criteria for the respective benefits. Each case is assessed individually based on the evidence provided.

We have also launched the Timms Review to ensure Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is fair and fit for the future. It is the ever first full review of PIP and will include consideration of whether the assessment effectively captures the impact of long-term health conditions and disability in the modern world.