Source · Select Committees · Work and Pensions Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Deferred
Uncertainty remains regarding conditionality regime determination and appeals process for disabled people.
Conclusion
We are cautiously optimistic about the Government’s proposals for conditionality, although a great deal remains uncertain. The tone of the Green Paper suggests the Government is minded to focus more on positive engagement than coercive conditionality. We appreciate the concerns expressed by many about the principle of drawing more disabled people within the scope of conditionality, but if support conversations are to be the extent of conditionality for the majority of claimants, we would consider this regime to be so light as to barely count as conditionality at all. We are more concerned, however, about the arrangements for determining a person’s conditionality regime, about which there is too little information, and about the availability of an appeals process. (Conclusion, Paragraph 155) 68
Government Response Summary
The government reiterated its Green Paper approach to conditionality focusing on personalised employment support and periodic conversations, acknowledging the need for further detail and clarity on regimes and operations, with proposals to be shared in due course.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
In the Pathways to Work Green Paper, the Department set out its intention to guarantee personalised employment support to anyone claiming out of work benefits with a health condition or disability who wants to work but is currently outside the labour market. Currently, a large number of these claimants are placed in a conditionality regime where they are not routinely engaged or offered any support following the Work Capability Assessment (WCA). This requires careful consideration and a range of external input. We recognise that many disabilities and health conditions are complex and fluctuate, meaning that the support an individual may require—and their ability to engage with it—can change over time. In the Green Paper, we consulted on our approach to conditionality, and we set out that we think it is reasonable to expect most people, as a minimum, to engage in periodic conversations with us about their aspirations to work and to hear about the support available to them. We are carefully considering responses to these questions alongside other evidence and the Committee’s recommendation. We recognise the need to provide further detail and clarity on how any potential conditionality regimes, and their applicable requirements, for disabled people and those with health conditions will operate and will share detail of our proposals in due course.