Secretary of state for work and pensions Pat McFadden has confirmed to the Commons work and pensions committee this week that the work capability assessment (WCA) will to be abolished, but is unable to explain when or how this will happen.
The WPC wrote to McFadden last month, saying
“We understand the WCA will be continuing until 2029-30. When can we expect to hear whether the WCA will continue beyond this date? Is it still your intention to abolish the Work Capability Assessment? If so, what is the timetable for this?”
McFadden’s response added little to the committee’s knowledge:
“Due to its link with the PIP assessment, WCA abolition will not happen until after the Timms Review into the PIP assessment has concluded and any recommendations have been made. In the meantime, work is continuing to determine the detail of how this reformed system would work and discussions are also ongoing with the Scottish Government regarding the interactions between the devolved and reserved systems. We will outline further details on the reformed system, and the timing of WCA abolition, in due course.”
So, the DWP is still insisting the WCA will be abolished, but can provide absolutely no further details.
The reality appears to be that, because qualifying for the health element of UC will be based on receiving the daily living component of PIP, the DWP are as much in the dark about what is going to happen as everyone else, until the Timms review has completed its work.
Either that, or the DWP know exactly what is going to happen, but cannot say anything because that would suggest that the Timms review is a sham and decisions about the future of PIP and the WCA have already been made.
Because, as McFadden confirmed in his answer to another question from the WPC, ultimately it isn’t the Timms review that makes the final decision on the future of PIP and the WCA, it’s him.
The WPC asked:
“What is the process by which final decisions will be made concerning the Timms Review, and who will be involved in this?”
McFadden replied:
“As set out in the Terms of Reference and confirmed to the House on 30 October, these recommendations will go to me for final decisions, with an interim report expected early summer. . . The Review’s outcomes will be reported to Parliament, and we will hold a full debate in Government time.”
So, in the end, whatever the review recommends, it will be down to one person to decide what changes are put before the House.
You can read McFadden’s full response to the work and pensions committee here.
