The UK Government has unveiled plans to extend the duration of awards for new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants in an effort to reduce the backlog of Work Capability Assessments (WCA).

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stated that this measure, set to be implemented in April, aims to allow health professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and complete more WCA reassessments.

Currently, the interval between PIP award reviews can be as brief as nine months, with most people seeing no alteration in their award at their review. This period will be extended for the majority of PIP claimants aged 25 and over to a minimum of three years for a new claim, increasing to five years at their subsequent review if they continue to be eligible.

These operational modifications are distinct from the Timms Review, which will examine the role of PIP, its assessment process, and the criteria for supporting disabled people to achieve improved health, higher living standards, and increased independence.

This new measure will come into effect from April, coinciding with alterations to Universal Credit that reduce the disparity between what people receive for unemployment compared to long-term sickness.

These changes will enable the UK Government to fulfil a commitment it made in the Pathways to Work Green Paper to increase face-to-face assessments after they were suspended in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Contracts agreed by the previous government required 80 per cent of assessments to be conducted virtually, reports the Daily Record.

The UK Government plans to increase the proportion of face-to-face assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) from 6 per cent in 2024 (57,000) to 30 per cent of all assessments, and for Work Capability Assessment (WCA) from 13 per cent in 2024 (74,000) to 30 per cent.

The Government claims it is "reforming the broken welfare system it inherited" by extending the time between assessments to verify if a claimant's condition still qualifies them for PIP. This will allow health professionals to conduct more face-to-face assessments and deliver more WCA reassessments.

The Government emphasised: "Reassessments play an important role in taking account of how changes in health conditions and disabilities affect people over time."

Overall, these measures are projected to save the UK taxpayer £1.9 billion by the end of 2030/31. They will be implemented alongside employment support initiatives such as Connect to Work, and the redeployment of 1,000 work coaches for those who are sick or disabled.

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, said: "We're committed to reforming the welfare system we inherited, which for too long has written off millions as too sick to work."

He added: "That is why we are ramping up the number of assessments we do face-to-face and taking action to tackle the inherited backlog of people waiting for a Work Capability Assessment."

McFadden concluded: "These reforms will allow us to save £1.9 billion, creating a welfare state that supports those who need it while helping people into work and delivering fairness to the taxpayer."