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.
