The first full review of Personal Independence Payment since its 2013 introduction has found the benefit is “not fit for purpose,” with its interim report published today (9 July) pointing to a widening gap between disabled and non-disabled employment rates and a sharp rise in claims driven by younger people with mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions.

The Timms Review, co-chaired by Sir Stephen Timms, Sharon Brennan and Dr Clenton Farquharson CBE, drew on more than 38,000 responses to its call for evidence.