Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Government Response to the Work Capability Assessment: Activities and Descriptors Consultation, CP973, updated on 22 November 2023, if she will publish (a) her Department's Impact Assessment and (b) any estimates made by her Department of the impact of the proposals on (i) the number of people in poverty, (ii) the number of children in poverty and (iii) the number of disabled people in poverty.

In January 2025 the High Court determined that the Work Capability Assessment: Activities and Descriptors consultation was unlawful. The court found the previous government failed to explain their proposals adequately or to allow people sufficient time to respond.

As the previous consultation has been struck down, we will reconsult on the WCA changes as part of our Green Paper in spring 2025 that will bring forward wider proposals to reform the health and disability benefits system.