Query over DBE letter I just recieved [ESA]

Benson

Congratulations on the continuing SG award.

Re-assessment dates are an operational decision made by the DWP, I think it unlikely that Maximus taking over will have a significant impact on re-assessment times they have already said that they expect it to be some considerable time before they catch up on the current backlog, a new Government is only likely to push them back, although to be clear, I have not heard that suggested by any of the parties.

Whilst we have seen some use of ESA assessment reports in regard to PIP, the criteria are very different and there would have to be clear evidence in relation to the PIP Descriptors for an ESA report to be of value, whilst it is not impossible that an ESA report may remove the need for a PIP assessment to be done, I do not think that you can assume that this will be the case.

Gordon