The following details have been
supplied by the TUC:
The PCS have
called for the scrapping of the Governments assessment system for disabled
people claiming benefits. The union says that the work capability assessment is
not designed to support people into employment, but to cut their benefit
entitlement.This follows the publication of an independent report into the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) which found "considerable dissatisfaction" among disabled people and highlighted the need to treat people with dignity and respect as a particular area for improvement. This is the fourth review of the WCA and it makes 37 recommendations including simple ones such as allowing claimants to see what is being written about them, adjusting the layout of interview rooms, better listening skills and the avoidance of inferring answers not provided by interviewees.
PCS however claims that the assessments are not fit for purpose and should be scrapped. They believe that there is mounting anecdotal evidence showing people are being found "fit for work" so denied employment and support allowance and put onto jobseeker's allowance. They are then denied that because they are not able to start work or meet the conditionality requirements of JSA.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "No one joined the employment service to administer a system designed to harass people and take benefits away. Our members want to support people into work and claim the benefits to which they are entitled. But, consistent with the government's approach to social security, these tests are not designed to help people and they should be scrapped." Sanctions for disabled people claiming ESA have increased by 156% in the last year and last week the appeal court upheld a ruling that the tests discriminate against claimants with mental health problems, learning disabilities and autism.
