Work Capability Assessment

Mark Hoban Excerpts

Monday 1st July 2013 Written Statements

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Mr Mark Hoban)]

Today the Government will publish a call for evidence as part of the fourth independent review of the work capability assessment (WCA), carried out by Dr Paul Litchfield.

The first three independent reviews were carried out by Professor Malcolm Harrington, and published in November 2010, November 2011 and November 2012. In the third review, Professor Harrington noted that much progress had been made, and that significant and lasting improvements were being put into place.

This call for evidence will be one of several methods used to gather information during the review. Evidence submitted will be used to inform Dr Litchfield’s report to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, which will be laid before Parliament before the end of 2013.

As this is the fourth independent review, this year’s call for evidence focuses on the impact of previous reviews, seeks new evidence and establishes where further improvements are needed.

The call for evidence runs until 27 August 2013.

I will place a copy of the call for evidence in the Libraries of both Houses. It will also be available on the Government’s website (www.gov.uk/DWP) later today.