The co-chairs of the Timms Review have issued a formal progress update as of 9 September 2026, marking a significant shift in the landmark investigation into how Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is managed and assessed across the United Kingdom.
The update confirms that the review has now moved from its initial evidence-gathering phase into the critical analysis and drafting stage. This independent review was established to examine the PIP system, specifically focusing on the “functional assessment” model which determines whether a claimant is eligible for the benefit and at what rate it is awarded.
Timeline and next steps
The co-chairs indicated that the work is on track to meet the original deadline, with final recommendations expected to be delivered to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by the end of 2026. This progress report follows an extensive period of consultation where the review sought views on the current assessment process and eligibility criteria.
For those currently receiving PIP, the update clarifies that there is no immediate change to their payments or assessment schedules. The DWP has previously indicated that any potential reforms resulting from the review would be carefully considered before implementation. You can find more detail on the expected timeline for the final report and how it fits into the wider DWP schedule.
The Timms Review forms a central part of the broader PIP reform agenda, which has evolved through several stages of government policy over the last two years. While the window for submitting new evidence is now closed, the co-chairs’ update emphasises that the analysis phase will be thorough, looking at the long-term sustainability and fairness of the assessment process.
No action is required from claimants at this time. All PIP assessments will continue to be conducted under existing rules and criteria until the government reviews the final report and decides which, if any, of the independent recommendations to adopt. The final report is currently expected to be published in late 2026.
