The Department for Work and Pensions has provided crucial clarification about how Personal Independence Payment assessments are recorded, confirming that claimants currently need to actively choose to have their sessions documented.
MP Questions Trigger Government Response
Independent MP for North Down Alex Easton raised significant questions in the House of Commons about assessment recording practices. Mr Easton specifically asked whether the DWP had issued guidance to Capita, one of its main assessment providers, about routinely recording all PIP interviews.
The MP also inquired about the potential impact of mandatory recording on both claimant experience and access to information that might be relevant for appeals against decisions.
Current System Requires Active Choice
In response, Labour MP Sir Stephen Timms provided detailed information about the existing arrangements. Audio recording is currently available for both face-to-face and telephone assessments with all of the Department's assessment providers.
However, under the present system, claimants must proactively choose to use this option. Information about how to request recording is publicised on provider websites and included in assessment invitation letters sent to claimants.
Future Changes to Recording Policy
The government has announced plans to fundamentally change this approach in the future. Sir Stephen Timms revealed intentions to switch to a system where all health assessments are recorded as standard, with claimants having the option to opt-out if they prefer.
This significant policy shift was outlined in the Pathways to Work Green Paper. The government hopes this change will improve trust in the health assessment process, which has faced criticism from disability advocates.
The Department confirmed that no guidance has yet been issued to Capita or any other health assessment provider about implementing standard recording, indicating that the current opt-in system remains in place for now.
Ongoing Review of PIP System
This development comes as Sir Stephen Timms leads The Timms Review, a government-led examination of the Personal Independence Payment system. The review aims to ensure PIP is fair and fit for the future, with particular focus on including the lived experiences of disabled people.
The review is co-chaired by Sir Stephen Timms, Dr. Clenton Farquharson, and Sharon Brennan, emphasising the importance of co-production with disabled people in shaping future policy.
The DWP has committed to monitoring the impacts of its policies, including assessing how standard audio recording of health assessments affects the disability benefits process moving forward.
