PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Social Security Benefits: Appeals (8 July 2014)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps his Department is taking to speed up the appeals process for people whose benefits have been sanctioned.
Asked by:
Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat)
Asked by:
Tim Farron (Liberal Democrat)
Answer
The First-tier Tribunal (Social Security and Child Support), administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS), hears appeals against Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) decisions on a range of benefits.
In order to increase the capacity of the Tribunal, and therefore speed up the appeals process, HMCTS has recruited almost 200 extra judges and over 250 medical members, increased venue capacity by almost 30%, extended opening times and introduced more efficient processes. This action and a recent reduction in appeal receipts has enabled HMCTS to reduce outstanding workloads.
Answered by:
Shailesh Vara (Conservative)
14 July 2014
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