Disability Rights UK blog post, 10 August 2016: WCA tests “significantly” biased against poorer disabled people
ESA work capability assessment (WCA) tests are “significantly biased” against claimants in poor areas of the country, according to new research.
The Guardian today highlights analysis of more than a million incapacity benefit claimants who have been re-assessed for ESA that shows that the WCA is disproportionately removing benefits from people in more deprived regions.
At the same time, it finds claimants in ‘wealthier’ areas are more likely to be awarded ESA and to be placed in the ESA support group.
The study analyses government data from over 300 local authorities between 2007 and 2015 and is published in the journal Radical Statistics.
The author of the research Jonathan Hume said:
“With an accurate test of disability, it would be expected that areas with lower disability and ill health would find more people fit for work.
As it stands, areas where people have the most need for ESA – so higher poverty, higher disability – are the ones removing it at a higher rate.
Ultimately the DWP is making decisions that seem to be influenced by factors other than the health of the claimant.”
The research has also established a significant relationship between WCA outcomes and local educational attainment. In areas where children finish school with more GCSEs, claimants were placed into the support group more frequently rather than being placed in the work-related activity group.
A possible explanation given for this is that people with more qualifications might better able to complete the significant paperwork required to claim ESA, or are better at seeking appropriate evidence and assistance.
A DWP spokeswoman criticised the report and said it makes a huge leap in attributing local variation in work capability assessment outcomes to “bias”:
“The report is entirely misleading and we don’t recognise the findings. The fact is eligibility for employment and support allowance is not dependent on the area where a claimant lives, but rather on the effect a person’s health condition or disability has on their ability to work.”
DR UK is very concerned at the report’s findings and looks forward to its full publication.
We are equally concerned at the comments by the DWP, especially given the consistent criticism made of the WCA’s validity since its 2008 introduction.
Instead of dismissing the conclusion of the new research it should be investigating the reasons for regional variations in the award of ESA.
Disabled people have a right to expect to be assessed fairly and consistently in relation to their benefit entitlement regardless of where they live.
We urge the DWP to carry out its responsibility for ensuring that this is the case.
For more information see ‘Biased’ fit for work tests penalise poorer people available @ www.guardian.co.uk/society
