A written answer from the DWP confirmed that 22% of the 81,000 appeals registered in 2022/23 were lapsed. Lapsing happens when the DWP offers to change their decision in the client’s favour prior to appeal hearing. Just last month, the courts and tribunals service (HMCTS) drew attention to the high number of lapsed appeals as a potential access to justice barrier, stating:
‘It is in the interests of both parties to ensure the right decision is made at the earliest possible stage. This would likely mean more claims being accepted at the application or mandatory reconsideration stage and fewer appeals being submitted to the tribunal.’
You can read the DWP written answer on lapsed PIP appeals on the Parliament website.
You can read the HMCTS report on GOV.UK.