Select Committee to probe WCAs

clock

MPs have announced they are to undertake a Select Committee inquiry into the controversial Work Capability Assessments (WCA).

The Work and Pensions Select Committee said this inquiry will probe the publication of a number of reviews of the WCA and concerns from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) regarding assessment provider Atos Healthcare's performance in delivering the WCA.

The Committee also intends to investigate mandatory reconsideration.

This was introduced in October 2013 and gives claimants a month to ask the DWP to ‘reconsider' decisions made on their benefits, before they can appeal to an independent tribunal panel.

The group of MPs are looking to receive views and gather evidence on the following areas:

• Delivery of the WCA by Atos, including steps taken to improve the claimant experience
• The effectiveness of the WCA in indicating whether claimants are fit for work, especially for those claimants who have mental, progressive or fluctuating illnesses, including comparison with possible alternative models
• The process and criteria for procuring new providers of the WCA
• The ESA (Employment and Support Allowance( entitlement decision-making process
• The reconsideration and appeals process
• The impact of time-limiting contributory ESA
• Outcomes for people determined fit for work or assigned to the Work Related Activity Group or the Support Group
• The interaction between ESA and Universal Credit implementation

The ESA was introduced in October 2008 for claimants making a new claim for financial support on the grounds of illness or incapacity.

Claimants are assessed through WCAs as to whether they have limited capability for work (placed in the WRAG), limited capability for work related activity (placed in the Support Group) or are deemed fit for work.

However, the WCAs have come under fire from disability rights campaigners for judging people with terminal and progressive conditions as fit for work.

Thousands of people have lodged complaints against Atos's decisions - around 40% of appeals have been successful.

The Committee said the new inquiry would follow-up a report into the ESA carried out in July 2011.

The deadline for submitting evidence is Friday 21 March.

More on Income Protection

Why we still need to talk IP

Why we still need to talk IP

"Increasing sales starts with education"

Matthew Chapman
clock 14 March 2024 • 3 min read
Cirencester Friendly pays out £9.3 million in 2023

Cirencester Friendly pays out £9.3 million in 2023

Nearly half of claims were from Millennials

Jaskeet Briah
clock 14 March 2024 • 2 min read
IPTF joins Consumer Duty Alliance membership

IPTF joins Consumer Duty Alliance membership

Supporting protection advisers on Consumer Duty requirements

Jaskeet Briah
clock 08 March 2024 • 1 min read

Highlights

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

COVER Survey: Advisers damning of protection insurer service levels

"It takes longer than ever to get underwriting terms"

John Brazier
clock 12 October 2023 • 5 min read
Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

Online reviews trump price for young people selecting life and health cover

According to latest ReMark report

John Brazier
clock 11 October 2023 • 2 min read
ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

ABI members with staff neurodiversity policy nearly doubles

Women within executive teams have grown to 32%

Jaskeet Briah
clock 10 October 2023 • 3 min read