Report offers WCA and work support alternative

Tue,8 April 2014
News

Spartacus network have released their latest report, Beyond the Barriers, which offers an alternative to failing Work Capability Assessment tests and out-of-work sickness support. It calls on policymakers to act now.

The report:

  • Examines what works and what doesn’t for sick and disabled people in other countries, and makes a series of recommendations based on the evidence.
  • Challenges the assumption that a punishing, penalty based system produces results and calls for a whole-person approach that enables everyone to be included.
  • Lays out an entirely new vision of how an assessment for “sickness benefits” might work, and offers both immediate and longer term recommendations.
  • Recommends that people who meet the tough qualifying criteria for ESA are no longer forced to participate in the Work Programme. Instead, they should co-produce plans for their own support where appropriate and commission it directly.
  • Offers a range of innovative solutions to enable those that can work to fulfil their potential whatever their impairment. It recommends a holistic, “one-stop” approach to support and that all valuable contribution should be recognised. This contribution doesn’t always mean paid employment, as caring and volunteering are not adequately supported in our present system.

Disability Rights UK welcomes this report and its recommendations. We have also campaigned for a radical change in back to work support for disabled people (see Liz Sayce criticises non work programme) and the inadequacy of the work capability assessment (see Atos to lose WCA contract: our response).