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<p>Mandatory reconsideration benefits claimants, as it enables (i) the Department
to provide a clear explanation of the decision; (ii) the claimant a further opportunity
to present their case, including providing new evidence; and (iii) crucially, for
decisions to be changed at the earliest opportunity, when appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>The
overturn rate of appeals does not mean that mandatory reconsideration is not working.
The main reason decisions are overturned on appeal is due to additional evidence,
both oral and written, being provided at tribunal, which was not previously available
at the initial decision or the mandatory reconsideration stage.</p><p><br>There are
strands of work in progress to drive continuous improvement in the appeals process.
This includes improving the way further evidence is collected to ensure all relevant
information is available to decision makers at the earliest opportunity and the recruitment
of approximately 150 Presenting Officers who represent DWP cases at Tribunals and
provide valuable insight into why decisions are overturned.</p>
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