Work Capability Assessment

Thursday 6th March 2014 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mike Penning)]

I am pleased to announce that Dr Paul Litchfield, who recently published the fourth independent review of the work capability assessment (WCA), will be continuing in his role as independent reviewer for the fifth and final statutory review of the work capability assessment as required by the Welfare Reform Act 2007.

This year’s review will continue the process of ensuring the assessment is as fair and accurate as possible in helping people back to work if they are able, while ensuring that financial support is provided to those who need it.

Dr Paul Litchfield is chief medical officer and director of health, safety and well-being for BT, a post he has held since 2001. An experienced senior occupational physician, his fields of expertise include mental illness and the impact it can have on work prospects. As a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council, he has also played a key role in raising the profile of the economic impact of chronic disease.

As in previous years, an independent scrutiny group, chaired by Professor David Haslam—chair of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), past president of the Royal College of General Practitioners and former national professional adviser to the Care Quality Commission—will oversee the review process.

Dr Litchfield will present his report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions before the end of 2014.