The latest annual report from the Senior President of Tribunals, released last week, reveals that there has been a dramatic 80% fall in the number of social security and child support (SSCS) appeal tribunals. However, the DWP expects the number to rise again, primarily due to the likely number of personal independence payment (PIP) appeals.{jcomments on}
The latest report gives the numbers of appeals lodged over the last three years as:
2012-13 507,131
2013-14 524,606
2014-15 108, 335
The dramatic fall was almost entirely due to the introduction of mandatory reconsideration before appeal.
PIP cases now represent 38% of SSCS appeals, with ESA making up a further 35%.
The DWP is forecasting that the number of appeals will be 180,000 to 200,000 in the current year, possibly rising to 300,000 in the following year and then begin to fall away again as DLA to PIP transfers are completed.
