Press Release
Scope responds to benefit reassessment figures
15 March 2012
More than one third of people receiving incapacity benefits have been found to fit for work, according to the statistics published by the Government.
Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of disability charity Scope, reacted to latest figures:
"These new figures seem to suggest that over a third of people receiving out of work benefits, such as employment and support allowance, must have been claiming these benefits fraudulently.
“However, these statistics do not tell the whole story. There have been continuing problems with the Government's Work Capability Assessment, which has used a tick box style assessment to assess people's fitness for work. Up to 40% of appeals against a WCA decision have been found in favour of the claimant suggesting there are still deep flaws with the assessment.
"We support the Government's ambitions to see more disabled people in the workplace and we know thousands of disabled people want to work but face other barriers to getting jobs such as a lack of skills, confidence and experience.
“At a time of mass unemployment, the Government must ensure its offering tailored, targeted and appropriate support to disabled people if it wants to see people moving off benefits and into work.”
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