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2,000 disabled people wrongly declared ‘fit to work’ by DWP in just three months | 2,000 disabled people wrongly declared ‘fit to work’ by DWP in just three months |
(about 17 hours later) | |
Around 2,000 disabled people were wrongly judged to be fit to work by the DWP over the latest three month period, Department for Work and Pensions figures show. | Around 2,000 disabled people were wrongly judged to be fit to work by the DWP over the latest three month period, Department for Work and Pensions figures show. |
Most appeals against disability benefit fit-to-work decisions were successful in the period June 2016, where show 58 per cent of appeals were upheld. | Most appeals against disability benefit fit-to-work decisions were successful in the period June 2016, where show 58 per cent of appeals were upheld. |
The number of appeals is also rising compared to the previous quarter, up from 3,400 to 3,600 – despite a falling overall caseload from 145,200 to 96,300. | The number of appeals is also rising compared to the previous quarter, up from 3,400 to 3,600 – despite a falling overall caseload from 145,200 to 96,300. |
The DWP said the number of cases brought to appeal was only a small proportion of the overall caseload, while disability charities warned the numbers were a signal that the tests were not working. | The DWP said the number of cases brought to appeal was only a small proportion of the overall caseload, while disability charities warned the numbers were a signal that the tests were not working. |
From April next year a £30 a week cut to the Employment and Support Allowance rate will apply to new claimants who are incorrectly categorised by the tests – potentially plunging thousands into poverty. | From April next year a £30 a week cut to the Employment and Support Allowance rate will apply to new claimants who are incorrectly categorised by the tests – potentially plunging thousands into poverty. |
“Today’s figures offer further evidence that the current Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is part of a badly broken system,” Rossanna Trudgian, head of campaigns for the learning disability charity Mencap warned. | “Today’s figures offer further evidence that the current Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is part of a badly broken system,” Rossanna Trudgian, head of campaigns for the learning disability charity Mencap warned. |
“The number of incorrect decisions isn't getting better and remains distressingly high - and behind every single statistic is an individual story of personal misery and anxiety for a sick or disabled person in the UK today. | “The number of incorrect decisions isn't getting better and remains distressingly high - and behind every single statistic is an individual story of personal misery and anxiety for a sick or disabled person in the UK today. |
“The current assessments have been labelled as ‘traumatic’ and ‘intrusive’, and we often hear of the lack of support given to people with a learning disability to answer the questions properly.” | “The current assessments have been labelled as ‘traumatic’ and ‘intrusive’, and we often hear of the lack of support given to people with a learning disability to answer the questions properly.” |
Labour has pledged to cut the Work Capability Assessment tests. Debbie Abrahams, shadow DWP secretary, said the “flawed Tory assessments only create further waste and expense”. | |
“The fact that such a high proportion of assessments are being overturned at appeal is a damning indictment of this government’s cruel social security reforms and six wasted years of austerity,” she said. | “The fact that such a high proportion of assessments are being overturned at appeal is a damning indictment of this government’s cruel social security reforms and six wasted years of austerity,” she said. |
A DWP spokesman said: “Only a small proportion of all ESA Work Capability Assessment decisions are overturned at appeal — just 4 per cent. | A DWP spokesman said: “Only a small proportion of all ESA Work Capability Assessment decisions are overturned at appeal — just 4 per cent. |
“In the majority of successful appeals, decisions are overturned when someone provides new evidence to support their claim.” | “In the majority of successful appeals, decisions are overturned when someone provides new evidence to support their claim.” |
This 4 per cent figure is however potentially misleading as it includes decisions where the initial ruling was in the claimant’s favour. | This 4 per cent figure is however potentially misleading as it includes decisions where the initial ruling was in the claimant’s favour. |
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