Embargoed until 00.01 Wednesday 14 Feb 2018
Statement from Tracey Lazard, CEO of Inclusion London in response to the publication of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee report on PIP and ESA Assessments
The Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance (1) welcomes the report from the Work and Pensions Committee highlighting the serious multiple failures of the ESA and PIP assessment process. The report findings reflect what we hear every day from Disabled people, that the assessment process is not fit for purpose, with poorly trained assessors and staggering levels of inaccuracy and dishonesty in the assessment reports. This not only results in a vast waste of taxpayers’ money, it also subjects disabled people to unacceptable levels of distress, placing considerable strain on our communities and on already over-stretched support services left trying to assist individuals through a process that is difficult to navigate and too often produces wrong and unfair decisions. This is yet further evidence that outsourcing to private providers is not only inefficient but that it’s the poorest people who are hit the worst by failings.
For more information or to speak to people affected by ESA and PIP assessments contact Ellen Clifford on 07505144372
Notes
1) The Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance is a network of grassroots Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations across England, including among others Inclusion London, Disabled People Against Cuts and Equal Lives.
