Question reference: S5W-13830
- Asked by: Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 12 January 2018
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Current status: Answered by Jeane Freeman on 22 January 2018
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the supporting statistics published on 4 December 2017 by the Department for Work and Pensions in aid of the UK Parliament Work and Pensions Select Committee PIP and ESA assessments inquiry, given that the Scottish Government is in the process of receiving powers over this area.
Answer
The Scottish Government believe that the statistics published by the UK Government in response to the review could have been clearer. For example, they report that the proportion of all Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA) decisions that were upheld at Mandatory Reconsideration and then overturned at First Tier Tribunal is 3% for PIP and 4% for ESA. However, 65% of PIP and ESA cases appealed were decided in favour of the applicant.
The Scottish Government is of the view that this indicates that DWP are not doing enough to get decisions right first time or at Mandatory Reconsideration stage.
We are committed to introducing a social security system that is founded on dignity and respect. Our approach to decision making will focus on getting decisions right first time, by making use of existing evidence.