Ending modern slavery is one of this Government\u2019s top priorities, and we are sensitive to the challenges faced by victims. We have worked with the Salvation Army to improve the service provided by DWP to victims. The purpose of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is to assess the impact of mental and physical health conditions, including any resulting from being a victim of modern slavery on a person, so that the right level of benefit and support can be provided. There are no exemptions from being assessed for those claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Universal Credit (UC) due to illness or disability. In addition to completing the application form or forms people or those supporting them are encouraged to provide additional evidence, including medical reports, to support their claim. If it is possible for the assessor to provide advice to the decision maker without requiring the claimant to attend a face-to-face assessment, they will do so.<\/p>
<\/p>
The WCA is not an annual assessment. Re-referral dates can be up to 24 months for those found to have limited capability for work, and up to 3 years for those found to have limited capability for work-related activity. Furthermore, from 29 September 2017 those placed in ESA\u2019s Support Group and the UC equivalent who have the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, whose level of function would always mean that they would have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity, and be unlikely ever to be able to move into work, will no longer be routinely reassessed.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2019-02-04", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2019-02-04T16:42:28.837Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2019-01-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Work Capability Assessment: Slavery"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether victims of modern slavery are exempt from the requirement to take an annual work capability assessment; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Coaker"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gedling"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vernon Coaker"} ], "uin" : "213946"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1020822", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1020822/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Department works closely with HM Courts and Tribunal Service and endeavours to transfer information within agreed timescales. We continue to monitor and review our decision making and appeals journey and have in recent months undertaken significant recruitment to ensure we deliver the best service to our customers<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-12-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-12-12T16:41:20.163Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2018-12-07", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment: Appeals"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the length of time taken for the transfer of documents between her Department and the Courts and Tribunal Service relating to personal independence payments claimants who are appealing the refusal of their claim in the most recent period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Coaker"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gedling"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vernon Coaker"} ], "uin" : "200084"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1000285", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1000285/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 5th<\/sup> November 2018 to Question UIN 186178<\/strong><\/a><\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-12T15:04:21.317Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-11-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment: Muscular Dystrophy"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations she has received from claimants of personal independence payment with myotonic dystrophy on personal independence payment assessments; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Coaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gedling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vernon Coaker"}
], "uin" : "187298"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/999154", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/999154/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " My officials and I have regular discussions with a range of stakeholders, including those representing individuals with Muscular Dystrophy to discuss benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP).<\/p> <\/p> For example, in regards to PIP, we regularly engage with stakeholders and one of the main avenues is through the national PIP Forum events. Muscular Dystrophy UK were invited to the most recent PIP Forum event that was held in Scotland.<\/p> <\/p> Muscular Dystrophy UK are an active member of the Disability Benefits Consortium (DBC); who the Department meet with regularly.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-11-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-11-05T17:10:34.077Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-10-31", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment: Muscular Dystrophy"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations she has received from claimants with muscular dystrophy on their personal independence payment assessment; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Coaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gedling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vernon Coaker"}
], "uin" : "186178"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/839151", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/839151/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The number of Personal Independent Payment (PIP) appeals cleared can be found in the official published statistics: \u201cTribunals and gender recognition certificate statistics quarterly \u2013 July to September 2017\u201d. The relevant data can be found in Table SSCS.3 in the \u201cData Tables\u201d document. This data shows the number of appeals cleared and their outcomes as a proportion. The data is broken down by year and quarter:<\/p> <\/p> https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunals-and-gender-recognition-certificate-statistics-quarterly-july-to-september-2017<\/a><\/p> <\/p> The appeals and overturned figures from the Ministry of Justice statistics will include appeals not related to the decision (e.g. failure to submit the form in time).<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-20T11:58:33.567Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment: Appeals"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people have appealed against their original personal independence payment assessment; and how many of those appeals were successful.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Coaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gedling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vernon Coaker"}
], "uin" : "127709"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/839153", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/839153/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Personal Independence Payment assessment process has been subject to two independent reviews carried out by Paul Gray. The Government has responded to both reviews, most recently on 18 December 2017, and has accepted or partially accepted all 28 recommendations received.<\/p> <\/p> In 2016 DWP commissioned Ipsos MORI to conduct independent research with PIP claimants covering all aspects of the PIP journey, from initial claim, the assessment process through to mandatory reconsideration and appeal. The first phase of the research, examining the initial claims process, was published in the Department\u2019s research report series in March 2017. Interim headline findings from the second wave, covering assessments and decisions, were published in December 2017. A full report covering all three waves of research will be published later this year.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-02-20", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-02-20T11:55:48.053Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "29"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Work and Pensions"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-02-08", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Personal Independence Payment"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the roll-out of personal independence; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Coaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gedling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vernon Coaker"}
], "uin" : "127711"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/768158", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/768158/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The majority of the provisions in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 have now commenced. Section 54 came into force on 29 October 2015 and thousands of slavery and human trafficking statements have been published since. Interim guidance for frontline staff has already been published and we will consult with stakeholders on statutory guidance required under Section 49 prior to publication. Both this guidance and the question of exercising section 50 of the Act are under active consideration as part of the reform of the National Referral Mechanism.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-10-16T14:38:47.297Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Modern Slavery Act 2015"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress has been made on implementing sections (a) 54, (b) 49 and (c) 50 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Coaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gedling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vernon Coaker"}
], "uin" : "106912"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/768159", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/768159/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Officials have considered the recommendations published in the 2014 Review of the National Referral Mechanism and tested recommendations on identification and decision-making through a 18 month pilot. The findings from the pilot will inform the reform of the National Referral Mechanism.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4071", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sarah Newton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Truro and Falmouth"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Sarah Newton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2017-10-16", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2017-10-16T14:35:53.16Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2017-10-10", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Human Trafficking"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the effect on the operation of the National Referral Mechanism for victims of trafficking of the recommendations made on that mechanism by Jeremy Oppenheim and published in November 2014.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/360", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Coaker"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Gedling"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Vernon Coaker"}
], "uin" : "106913"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/768176", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/768176/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Data relating to the number of people prosecuted and convicted for modern slavery and human trafficking offences in England and Wales can be found in the \u201ccriminal justice system outcomes by offence\u201d data tool table contained in the annual Criminal Justice Statistics publication, linked below.<\/p>