This policy change follows criticism of the high reliance on virtual assessments, which have dominated since the pandemic. Officials suggest that a more in-person approach will lead to more accurate outcomes and better oversight, with wider implications for public spending and claimant experience.
Shift Away From Virtual Assessments to In-Person Scrutiny
According to data from the DWP, only 6% of PIP assessments and 13% of WCA assessments were conducted face-to-face in 2024. That proportion is set to rise to 30% for both by 2026. The move is framed as an attempt to improve rigour in the assessment process after a period in which most evaluations were done remotely.
The current Labour government has criticised past contracts negotiated under Conservative leadership, which mandated that 80% of assessments be virtual. Ministers now argue that this model has contributed to higher approval rates and has created what they describe as a backlog of cases requiring further scrutiny.
In a statement, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the government is “committed to reforming the welfare system we inherited,” and added: “For too long it has written off millions as too sick to work.” The reforms, according to the department, aim to strike a balance between supporting vulnerable individuals and encouraging employment where possible.
The DWP maintains that in-person assessments allow healthcare professionals to better understand claimants’ conditions. It also suggests that this approach can help ensure fairness in a system that impacts both individuals and taxpayers. This shift does not affect the overall eligibility rules but significantly changes how assessments are delivered.
Extended Review Periods and Budget Savings Linked to Welfare Reforms
Another key element of the overhaul is the extension of intervals between benefit reviews. Currently, PIP recipients can be reassessed as frequently as every nine months, even when no changes to their condition have occurred. Under the new plans, the minimum interval will be set at three years for new claims, and up to five years for ongoing ones, depending on continued eligibility.
The government argues that lengthening the review period for stable cases will free up capacity for in-person evaluations and enable more frequent reassessments for those whose health may change. According to the DWP, this restructuring is expected to generate £1.9 billion in savings by the end of the 2030/31 financial year.
These operational changes are distinct from the Timms Review, a separate policy review that is still underway and will examine the purpose and framework of PIP more broadly. While not directly tied to the 2026 implementation, the Timms Review is expected to influence future reforms targeting better outcomes for disabled people.
In parallel with these measures, employment support initiatives like Connect to Work and the recruitment of 1,000 additional work coaches are designed to help up to 300,000 people with illnesses or disabilities enter the workforce by the end of the current parliamentary term.
The broader objective, according to ministers, is to “Get Britain Working” by rebalancing the welfare state to support those with genuine need while easing the pressure on public funds. Whether these reforms will deliver the promised outcomes remains to be seen as the April 2026 rollout approaches.
