Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Health and Disability White Paper, CP 807, published on 15 March 2023, whether he plans to introduce a Mandatory Reconsideration and appeal route against decisions made about a claimant’s ability to undertake work or work-related activity once the Work Capability Assessment has been replaced.

Our new approach will provide more personalised levels of conditionality and employment support, with the aim of helping people to reach their potential and live a more independent life. This more tailored approach will allow work coaches to build a relationship with an individual and determine what, if any, work-related activities an individual can participate in.

These activities could start from voluntary and dial up to mandatory where appropriate, with requirements added at a pace that is appropriate for the individual.

We will take time to carefully consider how best to implement these changes and take a test and learn approach with the new system before introducing it, to ensure it provides the taxpayer with value for money and is accessible and effective in delivering for our service users.

We will continue to listen to, and to work closely with, disabled people, people with health conditions and many other partners, on how to best deliver these reforms.