Alex Easton MLA has today expressed alarm at the amount of PIP appeal backlogs.
Speaking today Alex Easton MLA said:
“I am truly shocked at the huge amount of backlogged appeals waiting to be heard with 4,104 cases and rising. While I acknowledge that the Covid 19 pandemic has contributed to this there was already a backlogged already. It is now vitally important the Minister for Community’s ensures that there are enough staff and resources to deal with this backlog and that other avenues are put in place for appeals to be held, such as video appeals and telephone appeals were appropriate and acceptable to the claimant for PIP. I would also say that I feel that oral appeals would be safe to get heard in person as long as there is enough room and that social distancing and the wearing of masks can be done in a safe and practicable manor. It’s time for the Minister to start to tackle this issue and get this waiting list down for PIP appeals, I intend to try and have a debate on the issue in the NI Assembly if possible.”
Ends:
