DWP009/10
A new test which focuses on what people can do rather than
what they can't is keeping more people seeking work, new
figures show today. Thousands of people are now moving towards
work rather than being left to claim sickness benefit.
The latest figures for the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) show
where someone is fit for work or should get help through the
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
From October 2010, customers claiming Incapacity Benefit or
Income Support on incapacity grounds will be moved onto Employment
and Support Allowance.
Work and Pensions Secretary Yvette Cooper said:
“We want to make sure that people who are able to work get the
support they need to get a job, and don’t get stuck on long term
sickness benefits as they did in previous recessions.”
Minister for Disabled People Jonathan Shaw said:
"The Work Capability Assessment looks at what people can
do, rather than what they can't, to give them the support
they need to get back to work and avoid ending up on long-term
sickness benefits. For those who cannot work, they will receive
additional support and help.
"This is a relatively new process, but we are very
grateful to have had disability organisations and charities
involved in the consultation process and the development of the
programme from the very start.
"We are currently reviewing it to see where improvements
and changes need to be made to ensure that it is working as it
should be."
The stats show that of the 352,500 new claims to Employment and
Support Allowance made between 27th October 2008 and 31st May 2009:
- 5 per cent have been assessed by the WCA as suitable for the
ESA Support Group
- 12 per cent have been assessed as
suitable for the ESA Work Related Activity Group
- 38 per cent
have been assessed as fit for work
- the remaining 45 per cent
either left ESA before completing the assessment or the assessment
is still in progress.
Some customers who are found fit for work move onto Jobseekers
Allowance. Those who have a health condition or disability may
have a more limited availability and scope to actively search for
work. Therefore, they are able to, with the agreement of their
Jobcentre Plus Personal Adviser, restrict their availability for
work provided those restrictions are reasonable given their condition.
Notes to Editors
1) The Work Capability Assessment statistics can be found at: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca.asp
Contacts:
Department Work and Pensions
Phone: 020 3267 5144
NDS.DWP@coi.gsi.gov.uk