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<p>Latest figures indicate that since PIP was introduced, 3.5 million decisions have
been made up to June 2018, and of these 9% have been appealed and 4% have been overturned
at tribunals.</p><p> </p><p>The volume of appeals against Personal Independence Payment
(PIP) decisions has built up since it was introduced as a new benefit, incrementally
over time, from 2013.</p><p> </p><p>Waiting times are monitored continually, and in
response to recent increases, we have conducted a national recruitment exercise of
judicial office-holders as a result of which, 225 new medical members and 119 disability-qualified
members have been appointed to the First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child
Support) (SSCS). Additionally, 250 fee-paid judges and 100 salaried judges are being
recruited across tribunals more widely.</p><p> </p><p>Five of the newly-appointed
fee paid judges, 29 medically qualified panel member and 14 disability qualified panel
members have been deployed to sit at SSCS tribunal venues serving the St Helens, Wigan
and Liverpool areas.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, we have recently launched a new digital
service with the aim of enabling speedier processing of appeals and to provide a better
service for all parties to the proceedings. This will increase capacity, helping to
reduce waiting times for appellants. Information on the new digital service can be
found at:</p><p>https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-online-service-launched-for-pip-appeals</p><p>We
are also taking forward initiatives with potential to increase the capacity and performance
of the tribunal: for instance, introducing case management “triage” sessions, with
the aim of reducing the time taken for appeals to reach final determination. All these
measures will increase the capacity of the tribunal, with the aim of reducing waiting
times for appellants.</p>
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