Findings of second Harrington Review welcome – Willott

Commenting on the publication of the second independent review by Professor Malcolm Harrington of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party Committee on Work and Pensions, Jenny Willott said:

"I welcome Professor Harrington's conclusion that the work done by the Coalition Government since his last review has meant the WCA process has changed for the better. Liberal Democrats have led the way in calling for a system of assessment that is fairer, more compassionate and more accurate.

"I strongly support his conclusion that the DWP should work with charities to develop evidence-based assessment criteria to ensure fluctuating or hidden conditions such as pain or fatigue are properly assessed. This is exactly the kind of action we called for at the Lib Dem Conference in September.

"I am also pleased the Coalition Government will consult on giving cancer suffers receiving oral chemotherapy equal access to the Support Group of employment and support allowance as those receiving other forms of chemotherapy. This would be an overdue change and I hope that the consultation is successful.

"While there is clearly more that needs to be done, Harrington's report shows the progress the Coalition Government has already made. It is clear that the process left behind by Labour failed far too many sick and disabled people."

The motion on Employment and Support Allowance and Work Capability Assessments passed at Lib Dem Autumn Conference 2011 can be found here: http://www.libdems.org.uk/siteFiles/resources/docs/conference/F6.pdf