Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Work Capability Assessments for existing claimants were undertaken in (a) September 2025 and (b) October 2025.

The number of Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) for existing claimants undertaken in September 2025 was 3,100 and in October 2025 was 6,000.

As of 31 October 2025, approximately 100,000 existing claimants were awaiting WCAs. This total includes all existing claimants currently within the assessment suppliers’ caseload, including those at the questionnaire stage and those for whom further medical evidence is being gathered.

Due to unforeseen high levels of WCAs required in late 2024, a backlog of reassessment cases built up from individuals reporting a change in their condition before May 2025. We are working with suppliers to increase capacity for clearing this backlog, including by accelerating the recruitment of assessors. 6,000 of these referrals have already been progressed, and we expect the vast majority of the remainder to be cleared over the next six months.

Please note

• Volumes have been rounded to the nearest 100 or 1000.
• All above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the assessment suppliers.
• The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.