Views sought on removing, amending or reducing points for four WCA activities and removing or amending ‘substantial risk’ provisions
The government has launched a consultation on changes to the work capability assessment (WCA) designed to reduce the number of claimants in the ‘limited capability for work-related activity’ (LCWRA) group.
Turning to the specific measures proposed, the government says that it is seeking views on changes to four WCA activities and the ‘substantial risk’ provisions –
Mobilising
The government is considering three options –
- remove the mobilising activity entirely (both LCW and LCWRA);
- amend the LCWRA mobilising descriptor to bring it in line with the equivalent descriptor in PIP, replacing 50 metres with 20 metres for both descriptors within the LCWRA activity; or
- reduce the points awarded for the LCW Mobilising descriptors.
Absence or loss of bowel/bladder control (continence)
The government is considering three options –
- remove the continence activity entirely (both LCW and LCWRA);
- amend the LCWRA continence descriptor so that claimants are required to experience symptoms ‘daily’ rather than ‘weekly’; or
- reduce the points awarded for the LCW continence descriptors
Coping with social engagement
The government is considering two options –
- remove the coping with social engagement activity entirely (both LCW and LCWRA); or
- reduce the points awarded for LCW descriptors for coping with social engagement.
Getting About (LCW only)
The government is considering two options –
- remove the getting about activity entirely; or
- reduce the points awarded for LCW descriptors for getting about
Substantial risk
The government is considering two options for reform of the ‘substantial risk’ provisions – under which a claimant can be treated as having LCWRA if there would be a substantial risk to their mental or physical health, or to the physical or mental health of someone else, if they were found not to have LCWRA –
- amend the LCWRA substantial risk definition to reflect that this would not apply where a person could take part in tailored or a minimal level of work preparation activity and/or where reasonable adjustments could be put in place to enable that person to engage with work preparation; or
- remove the LCWRA risk criteria entirely, so that anyone who would meet the current threshold would instead be placed in LCW.
NB – the government confirms that any changes taken forward will need legislation and that, as a result, they will not be implemented until 2025 at the earliest.
The Consultation on WCA activities and descriptors is available from gov uk.
