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‘Fair, consistent and right first time’- ESA assessments must be fit for work

30 October 2014

‘Fair, consistent and right first time’- ESA assessments must be fit for work

Citizens Advice has called on ministers to make the urgent changes needed to make work capability assessments (WCAs) fit for purpose.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) today announced that American firm Maximus Health and Human Service has been appointed to carry out the assessments, which people applying for employment and support allowance (ESA) must undergo. WCAs were previously carried out by private firm Atos, which attracted widespread criticism for its delivery of the assessments.

In the last 12 months Citizens Advice has helped over 320,000 people with ESA issues, including problems with the WCA.

Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

‘Sick and disabled people are paying the price for fundamental flaws in the WCA. There have been many problems with Atos’ delivery of the assessment, and Maximus now has an opportunity to improve people’s experience of applying for ESA. We welcome the positive changes Maximus has said it is planning, but the DWP needs to put in place contractual requirements against which the new provider can be held accountable.

‘A new contractor alone will not solve the issues with the WCA and there remain deep seated problems with the WCA. Long delays, medical assessments carried out with limited medical evidence and the removal of any financial support when people try to appeal against decisions are causing distress and pain for hundreds of thousands of people. Ministers need to make changes to the assessment process to make sure it is fair, consistent and right first time.’

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, the Citizens Advice consumer service and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more see the Citizens Advice website.
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. To find your local bureau in England and Wales, visit citizensadvice.org.uk. You can also get advice online at adviceguide.org.uk
  4. You can get consumer advice from the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 or 03454 04 05 05 for Welsh language speakers
  5. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.3 million clients on 5.4 million problems from October 2013 to September 2014. For full 2013/2014  service statistics see our quarterly publication Advice trends
  6. Citizens Advice service staff are supported by more than 21,000 trained volunteers, working at over 3,000 service outlets across England and Wales.