{"value":{"id":1908800,"askingMemberId":5310,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2026-05-21T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2026-06-01T00:00:00","uin":"4005","questionText":"To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance his Department has issued to Personal Independence Payment assessors on assessing claimants with multiple sclerosis.","answeringBodyId":29,"answeringBodyName":"Department for Work and Pensions","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":false,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":163,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2026-06-05T00:00:00","answerText":"

All health professionals (HPs) carrying out Personal Independence Payment assessments receive comprehensive training in disability analysis, with a clear focus on understanding the functional effects of a claimant’s condition rather than the diagnosis itself.

To support this approach, the department provides assessment suppliers with core training and guidance materials on a range of conditions including multiple sclerosis. These materials include clinical background information and detail the potential functional impacts of the condition, enabling HPs to deliver informed, consistent and accurate assessments.

In addition, all training and guidance materials are currently subject to a comprehensive review and update. A dedicated team is overseeing this work to ensure alignment with national best practice, helping to ensure that guidance remains accurate, relevant and up to date.

","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"Personal Independence Payment: Multiple Sclerosis","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1908800","method":"GET"}]}