DWP issues update over controversial WCA shake-up and date it'll start

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to rollout changes to encourage people who claim benefits get back to work. The DWP is planning changes to the Work Capability Assessment which could affect 400,000 claimants - despite a backlash.

The Labour Party government said it would set out reforms to health and disability benefits in the early part of next year “to ensure the system supports people who can work to remain in or start employment, in a way that is fair and fiscally sustainable”.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a social change organisation, said the Government had “failed to explain how they will save £3bn from the benefits bill” meaning those on welfare have been left with “no certainty and more anxiety rather than the respect they deserve”.

READ MORE UK households will wake up to £11,250 bill after stamp duty rule change

United Response's Sapphire Beamish said: “It is a poor decision to continue the rhetoric around tightening Work Capability Assessments alongside a ‘crackdown on fraud’. The negative framing on welfare continues to inflict stigma and increase the worry for people with a learning disability who are left feeling let down that the focus is on saving money over supporting disabled people.”

James Taylor, executive director of strategy at disability equality charity Scope, said: “Bringing in changes based on savings, not on supporting disabled people, will be disastrous.” He added: “Ramping up restrictions won’t help support more disabled people into work, it will only make their lives harder”.

Disability Rights UK warned: "It is difficult to see how exactly the same WCA reform “savings” projected by the previous administration would be achieved without implementing all or some of its planned WCA reforms. The consequences of those measures will be devastating for the Disabled people affected. They will also add to already unreasonable workloads and working conditions for frontline DWP staff.

"The inherited plans include abolishing the WCA and replacing it with Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The deeply flawed PIP assessment process would determine eligibility for financial support if you’re not well enough to work."