Through the Health Transformation Programme, we are expanding digital services for Personal Independence Payment customers. Over 90% of those making new PIP applications can now submit their health information online after starting their claim by phone. This is benefitting customers by removing postage times and increasing accessibility. We are continuing to extend this option to all customers and, by the end of the Programme, customers will be able to view application progress and report a change of circumstances online, reducing their need to call the enquiry line.

The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

However, monthly Universal Credit payment timeliness statistics to April 2026, for all claims and new claims, are published in the UC Households 5 - Payment Timeliness All Claims table and the UC Households 6 - Payment Timeliness New Claims table, in the Households on Universal Credit dataset on Stat-Xplore.

Users can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest and, if needed, can access guidance on how to extract information. There is also a Universal Credit Official Statistics: Stat-Xplore user guide.

Mandatory Reconsiderations (MRs) are considered in date order. There are no specified timescales for clearing MRs. Each application is then dealt with without delay – with the quality and not speed of the decision underpinning the department’s approach.

We are recruiting more decision makers to MRs to ensure decisions are made in as timely manner as possible.

The Review's steering group recognise no single method of engagement and evidence-gathering will allow them to hear every voice. That is why the group has adopted a mix of approaches combining lived experience, expert insight, existing research, new quantitative data and workshops across the UK to gather evidence. This engagement included those with lived experience of autism. The findings from this engagement are being used to build a strong evidence base to inform policy analysis and the Review's recommendations.

In the next phase of the Review, Shaping Recommendation Workshops will be held and will bring together disabled people and those with long-term health conditions from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences to help shape, test and refine the Review's emerging recommendations.

The requested information is published and available in table 13B, row 591, column K at: Universal Credit claimants statistics on the two child limit policy, April 2026 - GOV.UK.

The person responsible for the child is also responsible for informing the Department of changes that may affect the child’s entitlement to Disability Living Allowance for Children. If the child is placed in foster care, DWP would appoint the foster carer as the new person responsible for the child. When advised of a change in circumstances the Department will then contact relevant authorities to establish the child’s current care needs, circumstances and funding streams.

Claimants are responsible for informing the Department of changes that may affect their entitlement to Carer’s Allowance, including changes to the care they provide. The Department offers a range of routes for reporting changes of circumstances.

Upon receipt of information that may affect entitlement, the Department reviews the claim and takes any necessary action in accordance with the applicable regulations and operational guidance.

As of 1st September 2026, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has undertaken 226 inspections of premises where engineered stone may be being used, leading to inspectors serving 394 enforcement notices.

At this stage of the inspection programme it is not possible to draw general conclusions about the overall levels of compliance in the sector.

Universal Credit is assessed at the household level. Different standard allowance rates apply to single claimants and couples to reflect that people living together may share household resources and living costs, and support is therefore calculated for the household as a whole rather than for each individual separately. Universal Credit awards comprise a standard allowance together with additional amounts that may be payable in recognition of specific needs, such as eligible housing costs, caring responsibilities or disability.

No assessment has been made of the potential impact of the different Universal Credit standard allowance rates on incentives for fraudulent claims or any resulting effects on the housing sector.

Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to manage the risk to employees from work-related violence, which includes:

• verbal abuse,
• threats and intimidation,
• physical assault,
• abuse by customers or members of the public.

The duty extends to employees visiting customers' homes, including gas engineers. Employers are expected to assess and manage those risks. To assist employers, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on how to assess the risks and put the right controls in place to protect workers. There is specific guidance on violence and aggression at work: Violence and aggression at work - HSE and for lone workers: Lone working: Protect those working alone - HSE

If an employee has experienced violence in connection with a work activity, HSE encourages them to report this to their employer. Employers, certain self-employed people and those in control of work premises must report certain workplace injuries, dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases to HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). Workers may also want to report instances of violence or intimidation to the police.

The Government’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Care for England. Wales and Scotland have their own national strategies.

HSE has a strategic objective to reduce work-related ill health, with a particular focus on mental health and stress, as set out in its 10-year strategy - ‘Protecting people and places’. HSE's regulatory interventions are focussed on enabling employers to identify and manage work-related stress risks effectively, preventing a range of different harm outcomes for workers.

DWP works closely with local partners, including Local Authorities, to help people identify their needs, skills and career goals. We actively work with Staffordshire County Council, colleges and training providers to connect people with opportunities such as apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, vacancies and DWP Sector-based Work Academy Programmes.

DWP also broker work experience placements with a range of local employers for people to access and develop their readiness for the world of work.

In Newcastle-under-Lyme, people can access DWP-funded programmes delivered through local authorities, including Connect to Work. This programme is delivered by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, the Growth Company and local voluntary organisations. It offers personalised support to help people overcome barriers to work, build skills and confidence, and move into jobs, training or further opportunities.

In April 2026, Staffordshire received £2.3 million from the Future Ready Fund. This three-year programme, delivered by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Careers Hub, will help more than 375 people. It will offer work experience, opportunities to meet employers, and careers advice to support them into education, training, or employment.

The County Council has also published its Skills for Growth Plan. This includes a £150 million programme to improve skills and training across Staffordshire. So far, £40 million has been secured, and a further £110 million is being sought to increase education and training opportunities for people aged 16 and over, improve careers support, and help more people move into work.

The Government’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Care for England. Wales and Scotland have their own national strategies.

HSE has a strategic objective to reduce work-related ill health, with a particular focus on mental health and stress, as set out in its 10-year strategy - ‘Protecting people and places’. HSE's regulatory interventions are focussed on enabling employers to identify and manage work-related stress risks effectively, preventing a range of different harm outcomes for workers.

The Government’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy is the responsibility of the Department of Health and Social Care for England. Wales and Scotland have their own national strategies.

HSE has a strategic objective to reduce work-related ill health, with a particular focus on mental health and stress, as set out in its 10-year strategy - ‘Protecting people and places’. HSE's regulatory interventions are focussed on enabling employers to identify and manage work-related stress risks effectively, preventing a range of different harm outcomes for workers.

As a programme in the Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP) the Health Transformation Programme is required to have annual Gateway 0 reviews, conducted by an independent team arranged by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). This year’s review took place in July 2026.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments are functional assessments designed to consider how a person’s health conditions or impairments affect their ability to carry out daily living and mobility activities. They do not require health professionals (HPs) to diagnose conditions or recommend treatment.

All assessment suppliers are required to ensure that HPs have appropriate training and knowledge of the clinical aspects and likely functional effects of a wide range of health conditions and impairments, including Autism and learning disabilities. All HPs undertaking assessments on behalf of the department must be registered practitioners and receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, including how to assess the impact of health conditions on day-to-day activities, alongside awareness training covering a range of conditions, symptoms and disabilities.

From 9 September 2024 the educational material for all Health Assessment Advisory Service HPs has been provided by DWP. As part of our review, we identified best practice in the NHS and have implemented the Oliver McGowan training as part of the mandatory training requirements for every HP. This training is recognised to be of significant value to HPs in ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to provide safe, informed, and compassionate assessments to claimants with autism and learning disabilities.

In addition, HPs have access to a wide range of Core Training and Guidance Materials (CTGM). These resources offer detailed clinical and functional information, including the potential risks and limitations of a range of conditions, including autism and learning disabilities, to support HPs in delivering informed assessments. Following the transfer of responsibilities to DWP all training and guidance materials are undergoing a comprehensive review and update. A newly established team is leading this work, ensuring that all materials are aligned with national best practice standards. To support this, independent clinical experts are being engaged to provide external quality assurance, helping to ensure the accuracy, relevance, and consistency of the content.

Information on Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment outcomes by primary condition can be found on Stat Xplore. PIP claimants can have more than one condition and this data only indicates the primary condition as determined during the PIP assessment process.

The requested data can be found in the ‘PIP Clearances’ dataset. You can expand the ‘Disability’ filter to narrow to ‘Autistic spectrum disorders’ and ‘Learning disability global’. You can expand the ‘Clearance type detail’ filter to select awarded and disallowed claims.

You can log in or access Stat-Xplore as a guest user. Guidance on how to use Stat-Xplore is also available here: Personal Independence Payment data on Stat-Xplore: user guide - GOV.UK.

The Timms Review seeks to ensure that PIP is fair and fit for the future. The Review's terms of reference set out a broad scope to ensure that PIP effectively captures the impact of long-term health conditions and disabilities in the modern world.

The Review is being co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and other experts. The steering group has shaped a programme of participation that brings together the full range of views and voices, including those with autism and learning disabilities.

The interim report of the Timms Review found that PIP as a benefit is no longer fit for purpose and is failing to keep pace with how disability, health and work have changed over the past decade.

The next phase of the Review is testing and refining recommendations for reform. The Review will report its recommendations to the Secretary of State in autumn.

New Claim Advances give customers the option to spread twenty-five Universal Credit payments over twenty-four months, giving them more flexibility over the payments of their Universal Credit award. Advances are not considered a loan so no interest is charged, nor any enforcement action taken, however Advances are recoverable. They are ordinarily repaid through deductions from subsequent Universal Credit awards over an agreed repayment period of up to 24 months. Customers must repay their advances over a maximum period of 24 months.

For question UIN 24752 I refer the hon. member to the answers I gave on 1 September 2026 to questions 19244 and 19245.

The information requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.