Committee hears from claimant and disability representative groups

Employment and Support Allowance, work capability assessment, ESA, WCA

The Work and Pensions Committee will hold its first oral evidence session for its inquiry into Employment and Support Allowance and Work Capability Assessments on Wednesday 9 April.

Witnesses

9.45am, Wednesday 9 April, Grimond Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons

Rachael Holmes, Head of Policy Research, Families, Welfare and Work, Citizen’s Advice
Tom Pollard, Social Policy and Campaigns Manager, Mind
Donna O’Brien, Social Policy and Campaigns Advisor, Parkinson’s UK
Anna Bird, Head of Public Policy and Research, Scope
Joanna Kennedy, Chief Executive, Zacchaeus 2000 Trust

Purpose of the meeting

This session, with claimant and disability representative groups, will explore:

The effectiveness of the WCA in determining whether people are fit for work, including the findings of the Evidence Based Review and possible alternative assessment models
Key concerns about the delivery of the WCA by Atos, and how these issues may be resolved with the new provider
How eligibility for ESA is determined by the DWP decision maker
Outcomes for claimants following assessment
The process for appealing a decision and the available financial support during this period
The impact of time-limiting contributory ESA for those in the Work Related Activity Group (WRAG)
The interaction between ESA and Universal Credit