Epilepsy Action and improvements to Personal Independence Payments processes

Early day motion 78, tabled 19 May 2021 by Kirsten Oswald (Scottish National Party). Signed by 19 members.

That this House supports Epilepsy Action's Personal Independence Payments (PIP) Pledge calling for improvements in the PIP assessment process for those with epilepsy; highlights the need for the Government to review the assessment process that currently sees people with epilepsy experiencing some of the highest initial rates of refusal for PIP, with around 66 per cent of new claims being refused, and over 70 per cent of those refusals being overturned on appeal; calls for better epilepsy training for PIP assessors to give them a good working knowledge of epilepsy and to be able to understand and take account of some of the debilitating and fluctuating conditions associated with it, the possible side effects of epilepsy medication, and the impact seizures can have on the individual and family members; and urges the Government to rapidly implement that training and reforms to the assessment process to make it fit for purpose for those with epilepsy.

Signatures by party: Scottish National Party 10, Plaid Cymru 3, Labour 2, DUP 1, Independent 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.