The DWP has dramatically increased its spending on fighting PIP and ESA appeals, whilst losing an ever higher proportion of cases. Spending is now at a record £121 million over the last two years.
The data, obtained through a freedom of information request by the Independent, shows the DWP spent £121m between 2017-18 and 2018-19, with £58m spent on mandatory reconsiderations and £63m spent on tribunal appeals.
When broken down annually over three years, it shows that the amount spent on mandatory reconsiderations increased by 19 per cent between 2016-17 and 2018-19, and the cost of tribunals surged by 64 per cent.
Yet the DWP is actually losing more and more appeals, with the success rate for PIP claimants now at 76%.
A DWP spokesperson told the Independent:
“ESA and PIP complaints have dropped by a quarter in the last two years, indicating increased satisfaction with our services. The data on expenditure has not been quality assured to National Statistics or Official Statistics standards and should be treated with appropriate caution.”
