DWP Spends £25.8 Million Defending PIP Appeals

The Department for Work and Pensions spent £25.8 million defending Personal Independence Payment (PIP) appeals during the 2024-2025 period, according to a report by the charity Z2K. The data shows a significant gap in decision-making, with 74 percent of PIP awards refused by the government being overturned in favor of the claimant at the tribunal stage, compared to only 14 percent overturned during the internal mandatory reconsideration process.

Currently, nearly 90,000 PIP appeals are among the 129,000 cases awaiting hearings at the Social Security and Child Support tribunal, with average wait times reaching nine months. A government spokesperson stated the department is working to address the inherited tribunal backlog.

In response to these figures, Z2K is calling for the mandatory reconsideration process to be replaced by an independent review body. Meanwhile, Disability Minister Stephen Timms is conducting a review of PIP after previously stating the benefit is "not fit for purpose." Final recommendations for reform are expected later this year.