Today the Work and Pensions Select Committee held the third oral evidence session for its inquiry into Employment and Support Allowance and Work Capability Assessments
The session was held between 9.30 am on Wednesday 14 May 2014. It explored key issues arising out of the previous Reviews, including:
- The fundamental design of the WCA, and possible changes to the assessment evaluated as part of the Evidence Based Review
- Delivery of the WCA by Atos, and the steps taken to improve it
- The role of the DWP decision maker and the use of additional evidence
- How feedback is shared between the Tribunals Service and DWP, and how this can be used to improve the initial decision-making process
- Sharing of information obtained during the WCA with Work Programme providers
The Committee interviewed Professor Malcolm Harrington and Dr Paul Litchfield OBE.
Two further evidence sessions are scheduled for Monday 9 June at 4.30 pm (witnesses: Atos representatives) and Wednesday 11 June at 9.30 am (witnesses: Department for Work and Pensions Minister and officials).
Find out more at http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/work-and-pensions-committee/news/esa-and-wca-third-ev/
You can watch the whole evidence session at http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=15447