‘Thank you for your correspondence regarding the Work Capability Assessment, and
my apologies for the delay in replying.
Disabled people need support and compassion, and the Labour Party believes in a
welfare state that fulfils this principle. The previous Conservative Government took the opposite approach and left many disabled people on Incapacity Benefit with little support to return to work where possible. It is also important to separate out ill health and disability from the decision not to work, which is taken by a distinct minority.
Assessment, and I am supportive of the principles behind this test.
However, I share some of the concerns that have been expressed about the test by
you, along with many charities, disability groups and healthcare professionals.
These concerns, the high percentage of appeals, and Professor Malcolm
Harrington’s expert reviews have shown that the test must be improved. The Government needs to listen to Professor Harrington’s advice, especially when his third review for 2012 comes out.
We have also forced a vote in Parliament on the need to reduce the human cost of
the wrong decisions that result from the WCA in its current form.
Given the importance of this issue, I am keen that you discuss this further with the
Labour Party and share with us some of the experiences of people going through the
WCA that you have collected. Anne McGuire, my Shadow Minister for Disabled
People, would be happy to arrange a meeting in order to do so. Please contact her
on ********** to arrange a convenient time.
Thank you again for taking the time to get in touch on this issue.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP’
My response to this is at http://jaynelinney.wordpress.com/2012/08/22/my-reply-to-the-responding-letter-of-ed-miliband