The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced plans to end the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to encourage people who need to claim benefits back into work. The DWP has also confirmed that the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment would be the only one used to decide whether a person will receive the new Universal Credit health element.
The Daily Record reports that the UK government recently published the Health and Disability White Paper, laying out proposed reforms to the benefits system. Minister for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove MP, also confirmed that "PIP will not be means-tested" and will stay separate from Universal Credit.
While not definitive plans, as they will need to be debated in parliament before coming into force (estimated to be in around 2026/27), Labour MP, Vicky Foxcroft, recently asked the DWP about responses to the Health and Disability Green Paper consultation, which proposes “making PIP the sole health-based assessment in the benefits system”. WCAs currently provide decisions on whether a person is fit for work for the purpose of their Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit Allowance.
