Work Capability Assessment: Cancer Treatments

Baroness Morgan of Drefelin Excerpts

Wednesday 21st March 2012 Lords Chamber

Asked By

[Baroness Morgan of Drefelin]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what changes are planned to the work capability assessment following their informal consultation on accounting for the effects of cancer treatments.

[Baroness Morgan of Drefelin]

I beg leave to ask the Question standing on the Order Paper in my name, and in so doing I declare an interest as chief executive of a research cancer charity.

[Lord De Mauley]

My Lords, our informal consultation on accounting for the effects of cancer treatment in the work capability assessment closed on 9 March. We received almost 90 responses to the consultation. We are currently analysing these responses and will in due course publish a consultation response which will outline our proposals. Until we have done so, it would be inappropriate to comment on any changes to the work capability assessment.

[Baroness Morgan of Drefelin]

My Lords, can the Minister inform the House what action the Government are taking to ensure that the intended introduction next month of the contributory ESA time limit will not impact adversely on those cancer patients who are currently claiming contributory ESA?

[Lord De Mauley]

Before I do so, my Lords, I would like to place on record our thanks to the noble Baroness and Breast Cancer Campaign for the valuable work that they do in this field. We are committed to supporting cancer sufferers in the most appropriate way through the welfare system. As evidence of that commitment, a year ago we extended the support group to include both those awaiting and those between courses of treatment. As a result, 68 per cent of employment support allowance claimants whose primary condition is cancer are placed in the support group and will be unaffected by time-limiting. We of course recognise that some individuals will be affected. This is a highly sensitive area and we must get our proposals right. That is why, as I explained, we undertook a consultation, are analysing the responses we received and will publish a response soon. We will then fully assess the implications of those proposals, with a view to implementing such changes as are necessary as quickly as possible.