- Health assessments for disability and sickness benefits to be
automatically audio recorded as standard.
- The change moves from an opt-in system - used by fewer than
3% of claimants - to opt-out as the default.
- Recordings to be used to improve assessment quality and
improve transparency.
The change means that claimants undergoing assessments for
Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Work Capability
Assessments (WCA)
in Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance, and
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) will have
their assessment automatically recorded, unless they choose to
opt out.
The move marks a significant shift from the previous opt-in
system, under which claimants had to request a recording
themselves. Despite being offered the option through invitation
letters and assessment supplier websites, fewer than 3 percent of
claimants took up the offer.
The new policy will improve public trust in the health assessment
process through greater transparency. Recordings will also be
used as a learning tool to identify potential improvements to
assessment quality and will be made available to claimants who
wish to appeal their initial benefit award.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir said:
Improving transparency and trust in the benefits system is one of
this government's key aims, which is why we're making this
important change.
Audio recording health assessments as standard will mean we are
available to make improvements and increase assessment quality,
resulting in a better experience for claimants.
Feedback from disabled people, the organisations that represent
them and disability-focused research has found that some disabled
people who claim health and disability benefits lack trust in the
health assessment process.
The policy delivers on a commitment first made in the Pathways to
Work Green Paper, published in March 2025, which set out the
government's intention to make recording standard practice across
assessments.
Written reports will still be used as part of the decision-making
process, with audio recordings providing a more accurate record
should that be required.
Today's announcement comes alongside the government's wider work
to improve people's experience of, and trust in, the benefits
system. That includes delivering on our commitment to increase
face-to-face assessments from 12 percent to 30 percent, which
fell sharply under the previous government, as well as employing
nearly 500 additional staff to clear the inherited Access to Work
backlog.
Additional Information:
