Disabled Individuals Encouraged to Influence PIP Review Recommendations

A series of fifteen workshops, both online and in person, are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the recommendations of the Timms Review into Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Disabled individuals and those with long-term health conditions are encouraged to apply, with registration commencing on Wednesday, 12 August 2026.

This initiative follows the Review’s Interim Report, which concluded that PIP is no longer fit for purpose. Many participants have characterised the assessment and decision-making processes as “stressful” and “dehumanising.” While PIP is generally appreciated as a crucial benefit, it has also been reported to create additional barriers to participation and independence.

Workshops Across the UK

As the Review approaches its final report, scheduled for Autumn 2026, the steering group is actively developing preliminary recommendations and is eager to gather feedback from individuals across the UK. The workshops will take place during September and October 2026, ensuring widespread participation from various regions of the country, facilitating discussion, testing, and refinement of the recommendations.

The primary target audience for these workshops includes disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. Importantly, no prior experience in engaging with government reviews is necessary for participants. In addition to these workshops, the Review will also reach out to stakeholders such as Disabled People’s Organisations, charities, and Members of Parliament to further refine its recommendations within the same timeframe.

Insights from the Community

Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, Co-Chair of the Review and a member of the working group focused on shaping recommendations, emphasised the importance of including the lived experiences of disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. He stated, “Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions know better than anyone how PIP works in real life, where it helps, where it creates barriers, and where it needs to change. That experience has to be part of shaping what comes next.”

Dr Farquharson further urged anyone with experience in applying for or receiving PIP to register their interest in participating. He highlighted that the aim of these workshops is not only to listen to personal experiences but also to evaluate the Review’s emerging recommendations against real-life scenarios, thereby understanding how they might be made fairer and more effective in practice.

Engagement and Feedback Mechanisms

The insights gathered from workshop participants will be integral to the Review as it finalises its recommendations. These sessions, in conjunction with ongoing community engagement, will ensure that the Review is firmly rooted in the experiences of disabled individuals and those with long-term health conditions before the final report is submitted to the government.

Prior to these workshops, the Review received over 38,000 responses to its Call for Evidence, alongside additional workshops and consultations with disabled individuals, their organisations, and subject matter experts to inform the Review’s findings.

Registration Details

Registration for the workshops will open on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, at 10am and will close on Friday, 21 August 2026, at 5pm. Selected participants will be notified by 4 September 2026. Selection will be conducted randomly, but the steering group will ensure that the chosen participants reflect a diverse range of characteristics. In instances where a specific characteristic is under-represented, individuals with that characteristic will be randomly selected from the broader applicant pool to address any imbalances.

Applications to participate in the workshops are currently open. Eligible participants include disabled individuals, those living with long-term health conditions, as well as carers, family members of disabled persons, and support workers.

The Timms Review is co-chaired by Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sharon Brennan, and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, with a steering group comprising twelve members who collectively bring a wealth of lived experience, expertise, and diverse perspectives to the process.

For further information, please visit The Timms Review on the official government website.