Page 27 - Reforming Benefits Decision-Making -(updated - August 2021)

f) The DWP/DfC decision-maker makes the final decision on the
claimant’s entitlement and informs the claimant by way of a decision
letter.

2.6 There is a severe lack of trust and confidence in the assessment process
amongst claimants with health conditions and disabilities. This is driven by
the poor quality of assessments and lack of transparency in decision making.
This was highlighted by the Work and Pensions Select Committee in their
2018 reports on PIP and ESA, 44 and was a view we continued to hear
expressed by those with experience of the assessment process and who
provide advice and support to individuals going through it. These flaws in the
process result in an incredibly stressful experience for claimants and can have
severe impacts on their health. Studies have found a link between the
introduction of WCA and increases in suicides, mental health issues and
45
antidepressant prescribing. Tragically, there have been at least 150 cases
where people claiming benefits have died or come to serious harm,
46
including at least 69 suicides.
47
2.7 Scotland has recognised the detrimental effects of the assessment process.
Section 14 of the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 states that it is implicit
in the principle of respect for the dignity of individuals they should not be

disease or disablement, there would be a substantial risk to the mental or physical health of any person
if they claimant were found not to have limited capability for work.
44 Work and Pensions Committee, PIP and ESA assessments: Seventh Report (see n. 11 above) paras 8-
12. See also P. Gray, The Second Independent Review of the Personal Independence Payment
Assessment (see n. 14 above) Chapter 4; Dr P. Litchfield, An Independent Review of the Work
Capability Assessment – year five (see n. 13 above) para 26.
45 Barr et al, ‘First, do no harm’: are disability assessments associated with adverse trends in mental
health? A longitudinal ecological study, J Epidemiology and Community Health 2016;70:339-345; M.
Bulman ‘Attempted suicides by disability claimants more than double after introduction of fit-to-work
assessment’ (Independent, 28 December 2017).

46 A. Homer ‘Deaths of people on benefits prompt inquiry call’ (BBC, 10 May 2021).
47 P. Butler 'Inquest finds mother took overdose after removal of disability benefits' (The Guardian, 27
January 2021); P. Butler 'At least 69 suicides linked to DWP's handling of benefit claims' (The
Guardian, 7 February 2020).

18