Research and analysis

Behavioural Insights for Health Transformation Programme Service Design: Project Summaries 2022 to 2025

This report presents summary findings from a series of behavioural insight studies carried out between 2022 and 2025 to inform the Health Transformation Programme (HTP). These were small-scale, exploratory studies, examining a range of initiatives to inform the early stages of the design and development of transformed service

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Research background 

Between Autumn 2022 and Spring 2025, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) commissioned Basis Social to conduct 9 behavioural insight studies for the HTP. A summary of one of these, Specialism in the Health Assessment: Initial Exploratory Research - GOV.UK, was published in 2024. This report covers the other 8 studies.  

As HTP is a large, agile and complex programme DWP’s approach to building evidence reflects this. In this context DWP commissioned targeted, small-scale research and exploratory studies to inform decisions around specific processes and design aspects of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and health assessment journeys.

Contribution to the evidence base  

These studies provided rapid insights into how potential service users perceived and responded to different possible initiatives designed to improve specific aspects of the PIP and health assessment journeys. Each behavioural insight study had a narrow focus, testing a process or design aspect with targeted participants. The research was conducted outside of the live claims environment to avoid disadvantaging or putting additional burden on service users.

Research value 

The department is using the insights provided by this research, alongside wider evidence, to inform the design, development and delivery of transformed services as part of the HTP.

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Published 26 March 2026

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