Government ignored independent reviewer on incapacity benefit changes
Categories: Articles:Social Justice |
Published: 16/12/2013 |
Views: 1548
The UK government pushed disabled people from Incapacity Benefit (IB) to the failing new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) system against the wishes of their independent, expert assessor, it has been revealed. Yet by 2010 when the decision was made it was clear, say critics, that there were significant flaws in the process. People with mental health and fluctuating conditions were not being fairly treated and successful appeals against “fit for work” decisions soared to 42 per cent. (Ekklesia)
This rate might have been even higher with better support for those appealing. The majority of overturned appeals are themselves overturned upon new oral evidence.
Respected independent disability advocate and researcher Sue Marsh has now obtained confirmation that the government's decision was political rather than evidence-based from Professor Malcolm Harrington, who completed the first three reviews of the much-criticised Work Capability Assessment (WCA), the gateway to determine claimants' level of disability and their ability to work.
Despite claims by then Minister of State for Employment Chris Grayling in February 2012 and subsequent statements by Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith, who has faced repeated official criticism for the failures of his department, Professor Harrington has responded to Ms Marsh, saying: "“To your question: I NEVER – repeat – NEVER agreed to the IB [Incapacity Benefit] migration. I would have preferred that it be delayed but by the time I said that, the political die had been cast. I then said that I would review progress of that during my reviews. The decision was political. I could not influence it." Read more here
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