Work and Pensions written question – answered at on 12 October 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost to his Department was of appeals made to the Tribunals Service against work capability assessment decisions in (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011 to date.
The introduction of employment support allowance (ESA) in October 2008 was accompanied by the new work capability assessment (WCA). The WCA is based on advice delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) assessment contractors, ATOS Healthcare.
If, following a work capability assessment, someone is found fit for work, they are no longer entitled to claim ESA. However they may appeal against the decision.
Published information and statistics for ESA claims and work capability assessments are available on the Department's website:
http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/esa_wca/index.php?page=esa_wca_arc
Jobcentre Plus, an agency of the Department for Work and Pensions, is responsible for the administration of the work capability assessment appeal process before these are passed to the Tribunal Service.
The cost to Jobcentre Plus of WCA appeals made to the Tribunals Service for 2009, 2010 and 2011 year to date (YTD) is shown in the following table:
£ million | |||
Financial year | 2009-10 | 2010-11 | 2011-12 YTD |
WCA appeals | 6.4 | 12.1 | 5.7 |
Notes: 1. The costs stated in this response only relate to the direct staff costs incurred by Jobcentre Plus. 2. The costs are recorded in financial years which run from April to March the following year. 3. The period 2011-12 YTD relates to WCA appeals from April 2011 to July 2011. Source: Jobcentre Plus Activity Based Management system |
Volumes of WCA appeals have increased each year from when ESA was introduced as more customers claim the benefit. This has lead to an increased proportion of WCAs resulting in customers being classified as ‘Fit for Work’, whereby claimants have subsequently appealed against this decision.
Yes0 people think so
No9 people think not
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