Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the effect of removing the option to share the results of work capability assessments with GPs on the ability of disabled people to access support; and if she will make a statement.

The Universal Credit system is structured around an online personal account which contains all the information relevant to the claim. This includes claimant’s bank account details, savings, capital, medical history, family relationships and address information. In order to take all reasonable steps to protect the position of claimants and their data, the Universal Credit design principle is that claimants own their own data, and this is made clear from the beginning of the claim.

When Universal Credit claimants receive their Work Capability Assessment decision, we advise them they no longer need to supply medical evidence to support their claim. Claimants may choose to obtain medical evidence for other purposes (for employers or other support in the community). Claimants may also choose to share the outcome of their Work Capability Assessment with their GPs, depending on their personal preferences and the relevance of the information to their GPs.

The Department continues to improve the process to ensure our claimants receive the appropriate support and information.