Work Capability Assessment independent review – year two

Professor Harrington was reappointed to lead the second independent review in 2011. His second review sets out a series of recommendations to the Government based on the evidence he collected as part of the review and which build on complement the recommendations from his first review. The main recommendations focus on:

• Introducing checks on benefit decisions to ensure fairness and consistency.
• Working with disability groups to help develop guidance for Atos healthcare professionals and Decision Makers.
• Improved support and communications for people who move onto Jobseeker’s Allowance to make sure they get the help they need.
• Regularly publishing data on performance and quality to improve the transparency of the face-to face assessment.

We published the year two review on 24 November 2011.

PDF version

• Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment – year two (491KB)

Rich Text Format

• RTF – Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment – year two (735KB) RTF

Welsh summary

• Adolygiad Annibynnol o’r Asesiad Gallu i Weithio – yr ail flwyddyn (124KB)

The Government’s response to the year two review

The Government responded to Professor Harrington’s review on 24 November 2011.It welcomed the findings and recommendations of the review – endorsing his suggestions.

The Government response includes a detailed response to each of Professor Harrington’s 23 recommendations.

• Government’s response to the Independent Review of the Work Capability Assessment – Year 2 (541KB)

Year two call for evidence (now closed)

As part of his year two independent review of the Work Capability Assessment, Professor Harrington launched a call for evidence. The call for evidence ran from 14 July 2011 until 16 September 2011.

• Work Capability Assessment – year two call for evidence