Work Capability Reassessments Debate

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Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Work Capability Reassessments

Gloria De Piero Excerpts
Wednesday 5th December 2012

(11 years, 11 months ago)

Westminster Hall
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Gloria De Piero Portrait Gloria De Piero (Ashfield) (Lab)
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On that point, one of my constituents, a former careers adviser, had a breakdown that led to depression and panic attacks. He was assessed as fit for work—by a physiotherapist.

Sheila Gilmore Portrait Sheila Gilmore
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I thank my hon. Friend for contributing that example. We must look at such situations carefully.

The process of reviewing the new descriptors is finally under way—although I suspect that we will return to it in due course—so I will concentrate on appeals and the time between assessment and reassessment. One of the most common stories that I hear from constituents is that they are found fit for work, wait several months for an appeal, get ESA and are then called back for a further assessment, sometimes just weeks and often only two or three months later. That is one of the most visible flaws in how the system works.