DWP has announced plans for making Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments ‘audio-recorded as standard’
James Rodger Content Editor
11:57, 12 Nov 2025
A PIP assessment update has been issued(Image: Orbon Alija via Getty Images)
An update has been issued regarding the audio recording of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments, conducted either in-person or over the phone by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Alex Easton, an Independent MP for North Down, queried in the Commons: “to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department has issued guidance to Capita on routinely recording interviews for all Personal Independence Payment assessments; and if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of requiring Capita to routinely record such interviews on (a) claimant experience and (b) access to information relevant to an appeal.”
In response, Sir Stephen Timms, a Labour Party MP, stated: “Currently, claimants can opt-in to having their Personal Independence Payment assessment recorded.
Our ChronicleLive Daily newsletter is free. You can sign up to receive it here. It will keep you up to date with all the latest breaking news and top stories from the North East.
“Audio recording is available for face-to-face and telephone assessments with all the Department’s assessment providers. These arrangements are publicised on providers’ websites and in assessment invitation letters.
“We announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper our intention to change this approach to one where we record all health assessments as standard, with a process for claimants to opt-out of a recording should they choose.”, reports Birmingham Live.
“By doing so, we hope to improve people’s trust in the health assessment process, and we are currently developing our plans to implement this measure.
“We have not yet issued guidance to Capita or any health assessment provider about recording assessments as standard.” The Labour MP continued: “The Department is committed to monitoring the impacts of its policies.
“This includes monitoring the impact of audio recording health assessments as standard for disability benefits.”
Over 3.8 million people across England and Wales are now receiving PIP payments ranging from £29.20 to £187.45 each week, equating to some £116.80 or £749.80 every four-week pay period.
Fresh data from the DWP reveals that 4,000 face-to-face assessments for PIP were carried out in August.
