The Liberal Democrats are to demand sweeping changes to the much-criticised employment support allowance (ESA), the chief benefit for Britain's 2.5 million sick and disabled people, providing a potential breakthrough for disability campaigners.
The Lib Dems are expected to back a motion at their annual conference next month calling for fundamental changes to the system, including the work capability assessment (WCA), a test that sick and disabled people are required to take before being deemed eligible for the benefit. The motion was written by Liberal Democrat Disability Association member George Potter. It is unclear at the moment, when the motion will actually be debated, probably on one of the first two days of conference.
The test, run by a French company, Atos Healthcare, has been described as impersonal and ill-equipped to deal with the subtleties of medical conditions. Campaigners have argued that as many as 70% of claims initially turned down are subsequently upheld on appeal, although the Department for Work and Pensions says the true percentage is 40%. The scheme went nationwide in April.
The Lib Dem motion, to be proposed by Liberal Youth, will make five key demands at conference:
• A clearer assessment criteria and descriptors, to make it more apparent under what circumstances ESA is paid.
• Greater accuracy in assessment, particularly for those with fluctuating conditions.
• A less stressful assessment process.
• People with disabilities getting the support they need.
• All ESA claimants on appeal to be given access to adequate representation.
Ministers have admitted that the test at the outset was poorly designed and, following a review by Professor Malcolm Harrington, made changes. Professor Harrington has now been asked to conduct a second review.
Tom Wood, chair of Liberal Youth, said any assessment process that gets so many decisions wrong at the first attempt is not a true public service. "If the Royal Mail put 40% or 70% of its letters into the wrong mail box, and then said it would get it right second time, you would not have any confidence in the Royal Mail. The difficulty is that Atos are being paid to reject people that distorts the meaning of a public service. It is also clear that unless you have legal representation, the chances of an appeal being successful are a lot smaller. The changes we are seeking are not on the edges, they are fundamental. If this motion is passed, as I fully expect, then the government will have to listen. We have already shown with the health service that the Liberal Democrats can force changes onto the government and that is what we want here."
It is also likely that if the motion is passed, political cover will be given to Lib Dem peers to press for changes to the welfare reform bill still before the Lords. The motion also calls for an end to the planned one-year limit on the payment of contributory ESA that is paid to those claimants satisfying national insurance contributions. The change is expected to save the government £1.1bn by 2014-15 and will affect 700,000 people by 2014-15. Wood said he recognised the need to bring the deficit down, but claimed the one-year limit was arbitrary.
The DWP said: "The number of people winning appeals for the WCA is much lower compared to the old test, but we are determined to get this right. That's why we are working closely with Professor Harrington to make the medical test as fair and effective as possible, and help more people to take the first steps towards sustainable employment."