The flaws in a controversial benefit scheme are so bad that appointing a new contractor to carry out assessments will not solve the problems, according to a Commons committee.
In a report published today, the work and pensions committee called for a “fundamental redesign” of the employment and support allowance (ESA).
Past criticism led to French firm Atos, which carried out work capability assessments (WCA) on behalf of the government, to give up its contract six months early.
A new contractor is expected to be appointed in February next year, with contract involving “multiple providers” tendered in 2018.
The committee said the appointment of a new contractor provided the opportunity to fundamentally redesign ESA, but in the meantime it wants to see a number of changes.
Chairwoman Dame Anne Begg, Labour MP for Aberdeen South, said: “Many people going through the ESA claims process are unhappy with the way they are treated and the decisions which are made about their fitness for work.
“The current provider of the WCA, Atos, has become a lightning rod for all the negativity around the ESA process and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Atos have recently agreed to terminate the contract early.
“But it is DWP that makes the decision about a claimant’s eligibility for ESA – the face-to-face assessment is only one part of the process. Just putting a new private provider in place will not address the problems with ESA and the WCA on its own.
“We are therefore calling for a number of changes which can be made to improve ESA in the short-term, while also recommending a longer-term, fundamental redesign of the whole process.”
Minister for Disabled People Mark Harper said a new contractor will deliver “the best possible service” claimants as well as increase the number of assessments and reduce working times.
“Since its introduction in 2008 by the previous government, there have been four independent reviews of the WCA and a fifth is underway. We have accepted most of the recommendations and made numerous improvements,” he said.
“More than 700,000 people who were on incapacity benefit are now looking for, or making steps to return to work after a work capability assessment – it is crucial that we continue this important process to ensure that people are not written off and we get a fair deal for the taxpayer.”