The Department for Work and Pensions has issued an update on the ongoing Timms Review into Personal Independence Payment. The PIP investigation will report back in the autumn of this year, a leading cabinet member has confirmed.
Liberal Democrats MP Martin Wrigley submitted a written parliamentary question and asked the Government how any changes would be introduced, specifically whether they would be "laid as a negative, or positive, statutory instrument, or as a bill."
DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms replied: "As the Government is not entering the review with a fixed set of outcomes, and the steering group is responsible for developing its recommendations, I cannot pre-empt the conclusions of this work."
"For that reason, it is not possible at this stage to determine what legislative vehicle may be required to implement any changes arising from the review," Mr Timms added.
Mr Timms said: "The review is expected to report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in autumn 2026, and its outcomes will be reported to Parliament, where there will be a general debate on the Review in Government time."
The minister explained: "The Government has launched the Timms Review to ensure we have a system that supports disabled people to achieve better health, higher living standards and greater independence, including through employment."
"The review is being co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, carers, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard."
Mr Timms holds the post of Minister of State for Social Security and Disability at the DWP. He is one of three co-chairs into the Review, which stated when it first launched: "From previous ministerial roles, and as a former Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee, Sir Stephen has developed expert knowledge of the issues faced by those with disabilities."
