Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of people eligible for employment and support allowance have their benefits suspended while medical reviews are conducted; and in the case of claimants whose benefit is restored after a medical review, what steps are taken to ensure that National Insurance payments are restored and future state pension and other benefits are protected.

Employment and Support Allowance claimants do not have their benefit suspended whilst undergoing a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). They continue to receive their National Insurance credits for each week that they are found to have limited capability for work or limited capability for work-related activity. Where claimants are found fit for work on a repeat WCA and it is subsequently decided that they did have limited capability for work or limited capability for work-related activity, National Insurance credits will be backdated accordingly so that entitlement to the state pension and other benefits is protected.