The scandal that is the WCA
Nine months ago, I did a posting about how I had accompanied a good friend of mine with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) to an interview as part of a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) because he had applied for the new Employment & Support Allowance (ESA). He was refused the ESA, he appealed, and he has now been called for an appeal hearing. Today I posted a statement of support which I hope will help him to win his appeal.
Ironically, this morning the “Guardian” newspaper devoted a whole page to a feature on how poor the WCA assessments have been. Citizens Advice found that, in a sample of 37 cases, 43% revealed serious levels of inaccuracy. Meanwhile 39% of appeals are being found in the claimant’s favour.
Then, this evening, the House of Lords defeated the Government three times on its proposals to tighten up further eligibility for the ESA allowance as explained here.
The deficit in the Government’s finances has to be cut – but not at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society when they most need a measure of support.