The press release issued by the Department for Work and Pensions on 29 June 2026.
All face-to-face and telephone health assessments for disability and sickness benefits will be audio recorded as standard from today to improve transparency in the benefit system.
- Health assessments for disability and sickness benefits to be automatically audio recorded as standard.
- The change moves from an opt-in system – used by fewer than 3% of claimants – to opt-out as the default.
- Recordings to be used to improve assessment quality and improve transparency.
The change means that claimants undergoing assessments for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Work Capability Assessments (WCA) in Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance, and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) will have their assessment automatically recorded, unless they choose to opt out.
The move marks a significant shift from the previous opt-in system, under which claimants had to request a recording themselves. Despite being offered the option through invitation letters and assessment supplier websites, fewer than 3 percent of claimants took up the offer.
The new policy will improve public trust in the health assessment process through greater transparency. Recordings will also be used as a learning tool to identify potential improvements to assessment quality and will be made available to claimants who wish to appeal their initial benefit award.
Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said:
Improving transparency and trust in the benefits system is one of this government’s key aims, which is why we’re making this important change.
Audio recording health assessments as standard will mean we are available to make improvements and increase assessment quality, resulting in a better experience for claimants.
Feedback from disabled people, the organisations that represent them and disability-focused research has found that some disabled people who claim health and disability benefits lack trust in the health assessment process.
The policy delivers on a commitment first made in the Pathways to Work Green Paper, published in March 2025, which set out the government’s intention to make recording standard practice across assessments.
Written reports will still be used as part of the decision-making process, with audio recordings providing a more accurate record should that be required.
Today’s announcement comes alongside the government’s wider work to improve people’s experience of, and trust in, the benefits system. That includes delivering on our commitment to increase face-to-face assessments from 12 percent to 30 percent, which fell sharply under the previous government, as well as employing nearly 500 additional staff to clear the inherited Access to Work backlog.
Additional Information:
- Claimants who do not wish to have their assessment recorded may opt out.
- The Pathways to Work Green Paper was published on 18 March 2025.