Govt must provide evidence of additional support for disabled people

In a cross-party report, MPs have argued that the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) must identify where new claimants have additional, unavoidable living costs relating to their conditions, and how it will ensure that these costs are covered. The DWP is looking at introducing a lower rate of benefit for new claimants of the Employment Support Allowance (ESA) in the Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG). Under the Government's plans, new claimants deemed unfit for work from April 2017 will receive £73.10 per week, the same as Jobseekers Allowance (JSA), and £29.05 less than is current...