Work Capability Assessments: Targets

The latest outcomes of Work Capability Assessments data were published on the 22nd October: and the various rates of fit-for-work/placed in support group etc. are virtually identical to the previous releases.

There is a clear pattern of absolutely negligible change in percentiles.  January’s data:

Outcomes of completed initial assessments for claims started from March to May 2012 show:

• 46 per cent of claimants have an outcome i.e. decisions have been made on their claims;

• 30 per cent of claimants had their claim closed before having a face to face assessment; and

• 24 per cent of claimants were still undergoing assessment.

Compare to July’s data:

Outcomes of completed initial assessments adjusted for appeals for claims started from September to November 2012 show:

• 47 per cent of claimants have an outcome i.e. decisions have been made on their claims;

• 29 per cent of claimants had their claim closed before assessment was complete; and

• 23 per cent of claimants were still undergoing assessment

And October‘s:

Outcomes of completed initial assessments for claims started from December 2012 to February 2013 show:

• 38 per cent of claimants have an outcome i.e. decisions have been made on their claims;

• 34 per cent of claimants had their claim closed before having a face to face assessment; and

• 29 per cent of claimants were still undergoing assessment.

 

The fit-for-work and unfit-for-work percentages were as follows over the respective quarters:

January 2013: 52% fit-for-work, 48% unfit-for-work

July 2013: 47% fit-for-work, 53% unfit-for-work

October 2013: 42% fit-for-work, 58% unfit-for-work

There is a distinct pattern here as well: each ratio alters by 5% from one quarter to the next.

Targets. There can’t be any other explanation, unless the DWP are simply making the data up. They’re applying targets to declare that people who are ill are healthy, and deprive them of financial support. It is also very much worth considering why it takes almost a year for this data to be published by the government.