Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 1 July 2013.
Jessica Morden
Labour, Newport East
2:30,
1 July 2013
What assessment he has made of the operation of work capability assessments; and if he will make a statement.
Mark Hoban
The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
The work capability assessment is aimed at ensuring people out of work through ill health or disability get the support they need. It is under regular review and today the call for evidence for the fourth review is being launched.
Jessica Morden
Labour, Newport East
In recent weeks, it seems that more of my constituents have been put in the work-related activity group without even having a face-to-face assessment. Will the Minister confirm whether the use of discretionary powers is increasing and will he reassure me that that is not a case of cutting corners to clear a backlog?
Mark Hoban
The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
It depends on the information provided and if claimants are providing good-quality information through the ESA50, they can be referred without a face-to-face assessment. I would also point out that the proportion of people going into the support group has increased in recent times, particularly as a consequence of not using face-to-face assessments.
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