The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that it will test recommendations from the Timms Review on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants, with participants selected at random. The testing phase will take place this autumn, with 15 workshops held across the UK in September and October 2026.
Random selection process for PIP testing
The DWP will invite PIP claimants to test and trial recommendations from the Review, which is being led by Labour Party government minister Sir Stephen Timms. The welfare department stated: "Selection will be done randomly but the steering group will review and ensure the sample balances a range of characteristics as above."
The DWP added: "Where a particular characteristic is under-represented, applicants with that characteristic will be identified from the wider applicant pool and selected at random to fill any gaps. We will also keep a reserve list and may contact people if places become available due to cancellations."
Workshop details and locations
There will be 15 workshops across the UK, offered as a mix of in-person and online sessions. Each workshop will be a one-day event from 10am to 4pm with regular breaks, with a maximum of 20 attendees per session. The Review would like to hear from people who live in the region where the workshop is held, and each participant will be limited to joining one workshop.
The workshop schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday 15 September - London - In person
- Friday 18 September – North East - Online
- Tuesday 22 September - Bournemouth - In person
- Tuesday 22 September - All regions - Online
- Thursday 24 September - Birmingham - In person
- Friday 25 September - Cardiff - In person
- Tuesday 29 September - Norwich and surrounding areas - Online
- Tuesday 29 September - Glasgow - In person
- Wednesday 30 September - Bangor - In person
- Wednesday 30 September - All regions - Online
- Thursday 1 October - Liverpool - In person
- Thursday 1 October - Belfast - In person
- Friday 2 October - Sheffield - In person
- Tuesday 6 October - Scotland - Online
- Wednesday 7 October - NI - Online
Call for PIP claimants to sign up
The DWP has called on PIP claimants to come forward and sign up for the testing phase. The department warned: "We expect interest in these workshops to exceed the number of places available. Unfortunately, this means we may not be able to offer a place to everyone who registers interest."
The testing phase is part of the broader review of PIP, which aims to reform the benefit system. The workshops will provide an opportunity for claimants to give feedback on the proposed changes, helping to shape the final recommendations.
