DWP

The reform of the NHS is dominating many discussions in private healthcare circles, but Owain Thomas unearths another government initiative that could have a greater impact

Only 5% of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) benefit recipients move back into work although the threat of sanctions is working, according to a government report.

Doctors have branded fit notes a success in helping people return to work but believe it has not improved advice to patients and that more local services are needed to support returning to work.

Disabled people receiving the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be subject to regular reassessments and the majority of cases will be fixed-term payments.

Disability campaigners have hit back at government plans that will see banks pay less than disabled people to cut the national deficit.

The new ESA statistics are being abused but, says Owain Thomas, they could spur IP sales.

The government can not recover overpayments of social security benefits through the courts where the claimant is not at fault, the country's top court has ruled.

Work Capability Assessments (WCA) for those claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are to be made ‘fairer' and ‘more effective' following an independent review.

The Government has announced a policy of cutting across all departments. Peter Barnett assesses what this regime of a thousand cuts means for the protection and health intermediary

Legal & General has applauded the "laudable ambitions" of today's 21st Century Welfare consultation paper and believes the protection industry is the perfect partner to assist the Government in welfare reform.