Work assesssments not fit for purpose - MP

OLDHAM East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has slammed the Work Capability Assessment as “not fit for purpose”.

In a passionate speech at Westminster, Mrs Abrahams highlighted the case of a claimant with terminal cancer whose life expectancy was shorter than the WCA work-ready prognosis.

She said: “The damage and harm this process is doing cannot be underestimated. The Government must act now and undertake an immediate evaluation of WCA with the view to revising the assessment process into work-related and health-related components.”

Mrs Abrahams said: “We need a 21st century welfare-to-work system which reflects our current economic reality, but also the dynamic economy and flexible labour market we need for the future.

“The Work Programme is failing this on a number of levels.”