- Disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and
other experts are being given more ways to shape a review of
Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
-
PIP affects
people's everyday lives: their independence, dignity, choices,
and ability to manage the extra costs of disability.
No single method can capture the full reality of disabled
people's lives. The Review will therefore use different ways to
hear from people, including written evidence, local workshops,
expert sessions, deliberative events, existing research and new
survey work.
The programme is designed to give people different ways to share
their views and evidence in a format that better works for them,
so that the Review is informed by as many perspectives and
experiences as possible.
Sir , Minister for Social Security
and Disability and co-chair of the Review, said:
PIP affects
people's everyday lives, independence, and ability to manage
extra costs, so it is essential that this Review is informed by a
diversity of experiences, evidence, and perspectives.
We are grateful for the time, thought and experience people are
contributing, and we will continue to work to ensure this Review
is informed by the widest possible range of voices.
Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, co-chair of the Review,
said:
PIP is not
just a benefit. It is part of how many disabled people live with
dignity, independence and choice. That is why this Review must be
shaped by people who know the system from the inside.
We need to hear what works, what does not, who is being missed,
and what needs to change.
This engagement programme matters because good evidence is not
only about data. It is about real lives, real barriers and
practical recommendations that can make the system fairer and fit
for the future.
Sharon Brennan, co-chair of the Review said:
Our engagement and evidence programme has been fully co-produced
as a group of 15, with a focus on ensuring that our chosen mix of
methods allows equitable access into the engagement process.
We recognise that the Timms Review has the potential to have a
significant impact on the lives of disabled people so it's vital
we hear the perspectives of as many people as possible.
In March, the Review opened a Call for Evidence, seeking feedback
from the public on their experiences and knowledge of
PIP.
Open until 28 May 2026, it is particularly seeking responses from
those with lived or learned experience of PIP, including disabled
people, the organisations that represent them, carers,
clinicians, experts, MPs, and other elected officials across the
UK.
Alternative formats of the Call for Evidence have been published
on GOV.UK, including British Sign Language (BSL), Easy Read,
audio, large print and Welsh translation.
Alongside the Call for Evidence, today's announcement confirms
the full evidence-gathering and engagement programme will
include:
- ‘Workshop in a box' resources kits to be shared with
organisations and elected representatives. This will support them
to promote, organise and run their own local workshops, capturing
in-depth insights from with people with lived experience and
those who support them in communities across the UK.
- Evidence sessions with experts, including people with lived
experience and relevant professionals, allowing deeper engagement
on specific topics and potential solutions.
- Deliberative events to be held across the UK later in the
year, bringing people together to test ideas, explore trade-offs,
and help shape the Review's final recommendations.
- Existing data and research, drawing on qualitative and
quantitative evidence from the disability sector, government, and
independent experts.
- New quantitative survey research, commissioned with the
National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), to fill gaps in the
current evidence base around independent living and how
PIP acts a
gateway to other support.
The Review's steering group is already delving into its priority
themes and will continue to engage with existing evidence on
PIP over the
coming months.
Early findings from the programme are expected to begin informing
policy analysis over the summer, with recommendation testing and
refinement expected in the autumn.
PIP supports
nearly four million people in England and Wales with the extra
costs of living with a disability or long-term condition. The
Timms Review — the first comprehensive examination of the benefit
since it was introduced in 2013 — will report to the Secretary of
State for Work and Pensions in autumn 2026.
Further details on how people can have their say will be
announced in the coming weeks.
Additional information
- The Call for Evidence closes at 11:59pm on 28 May 2026.
Responses can be submitted via the online form via The Timms Review -
GOV.UK. Alternative formats - including web-accessible PDF,
large print, BSL, audio, and easy read - are available on GOV.UK.
Alternative formats can also be requested by emailing timmsreview.callforevidence@dwp.gov.uk.
- The Review's steering group comprises 12 members, who work
alongside its co-chairs, Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, Sharon
Brennan, and Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir
.Disabled people, the
organisations that represent them, and other experts are being
given more ways to shape a review of Personal Independence
Payment (PIP).
