Over half a million people on disability benefits could lose their support after major changes were announced this week. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced sweeping changes including scrapping the work capability assessment (WCA) to assess eligibility for sickness benefits.
In what had been dubbed a 'back to work' budget on Wednesday March 15, Mr Hunt said there were around one million vacancies in the economy and seven million adults not in work. Referring to two million people inactive due to a disability or illness, the chancellor said the government would abolish the work capability assessment and said sanctions would be applied "more rigorously" for those who do not undertake specific work search requirements or take up reasonable job offers.
Mr Hunt said he wanted to remove barriers to work by ensuring disabled benefit claimants “will always be able to seek work without fear of losing financial support”. He also announced a new programme called universal support to help disabled people get into work. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox sign up here.
