MP's reaction to scrapping the Work Capability Assessment

Remina

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/tory-mp-brands-plan-to-scrap-wca-and-allow-work-coaches-to-decide-fitness-for-work-a-crazy-idea/

I just read the above article that was released today. Interesting little read.

Like many - I'm not a fan of the WCA, however at least it has an established structure and a fair appeal process, which I'm thankful for.

Getting rid of the WCA, tightning the eligibility criteria for disability benefit, amending the substantial risk rule and allowing 'work coaches' to decide what a disabled person can and can't do, is all one big recipe for disaster. Hopefully more MPs can stand up and stop these dangerous plans before they come to fruition.

It's easy to sit at home and think ''Oh well, these plans might never even happen!'', but it's important to be prepared. I hope for the best. 

kimkenzie202

It's because of all the people with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression(who have a WCA and end up never working again, even though those conditions can be treated quite successfully and don't tend to be permanent conditions)that the government are scrapping the WCA as(they see it as)keeping people permanently on the sick usually for life. Statistics have proven most people claiming disability for mental health usually never work again even though that shouldn't be the case, which is why they are trying this new approach. The majority of WCAs are mental health related(mainly anxiety)so they trying to get such people to focus on what work activities or preparation they can do, so that they not stuck at home mentally deteriorating resulting in never improving or becoming terrified of getting a job after years of unemployment. Unfortunately as a result it will affect all disabled people who have a WCA...not agreeing with it by the way.

zane

kimkenzie202 said:

It's because of all the people with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression(who have a WCA and end up never working again, even though those conditions can be treated quite successfully and don't tend to be permanent conditions)that the government are scrapping the WCA as(they see it as)keeping people permanently on the sick usually for life. Statistics have proven most people claiming disability for mental health usually never work again even though that shouldn't be the case, which is why they are trying this new approach. The majority of WCAs are mental health related(mainly anxiety)so they trying to get such people to focus on what work activities or preparation they can do, so that they not stuck at home mentally deteriorating resulting in never improving or becoming terrified of getting a job after years of unemployment. Unfortunately as a result it will affect all disabled people who have a WCA...not agreeing with it by the way.

I got learning disability and mental health so do I got go to work which I can’t do because of my learning disability 

66Mustang

@kimkenzie202

If I can try to respectfully counter this I would argue that there are not many people with mental health disorders who don't want to get better - it does happen, but not too often - the issue is the lack of support available from health services

I'd say to the DWP & NHS as a pair - if it's as easy as claimed to treat mental health disorders - either do your job and fix people so they get back to work, or let them have some financial support - as someone with mental health issues myself I'd obviously prefer the former option, but when it is decided that that option is deemed too expensive or time-consuming then do not deny people the latter option as well

Wibbles

It's going to be another cost saving effort. 
Same as the coming attempt to change the way that Sicknotes are dealt with....... 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68853166

Remina

Thank you all for your contributions to the thread.

I fear that many will fall through the cracks of the proposed reforms. Especially those with complex needs.

As @Wibbles has stated, these welfare reform proposals strike me as clearly being a simple cost-cutting effort and I fear for those of us with genuine struggles and complex needs who will be unfairly treated as a result of the proposed reforms.

While for some a slow and gradual ease into the work-force may be beneficial to them - for others it may be the final straw.. Time spent on sickness benefit allows the sick/disabled the ability to focus on their health, to focus on their treatment and to focus on simply trying to survive/cope with the debilitating nature of their sickness/disability... How are people supposed to cope/recover if they're placed in a situation where they're constantly being poked with a stick by the DWP to ''do what you can do'', where is the empathy and understanding? 

@66Mustang I completely agree with your point.

Wibbles

Remina said:

Thank you all for your contributions to the thread.

I fear that many will fall through the cracks of the proposed reforms. Especially those with complex needs.

As @Wibbles has stated, these welfare reform proposals strike me as clearly being a simple cost-cutting effort and I fear for those of us with genuine struggles and complex needs who will be unfairly treated as a result of the proposed reforms.

While for some a slow and gradual ease into the work-force may be beneficial to them - for others it may be the final straw.. Time spent on sickness benefit allows the sick/disabled the ability to focus on their health, to focus on their treatment and to focus on simply trying to survive/cope with the debilitating nature of their sickness/disability... How are people supposed to cope/recover if they're placed in a situation where they're constantly being poked with a stick by the DWP to ''do what you can do'', where is the empathy and understanding? 

@66Mustang I completely agree with your point.

The problem is that no government will dare to admit, publiclly, that some disabilities will prevent some disabled people from ever working again (full or part time). If they did admit that - the general population of UK would claim that disabled people are all a waste of space!! 

judie

kimkenzie202 said:

It's because of all the people with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression(who have a WCA and end up never working again, even though those conditions can be treated quite successfully and don't tend to be permanent conditions)that the government are scrapping the WCA as(they see it as)keeping people permanently on the sick usually for life. Statistics have proven most people claiming disability for mental health usually never work again even though that shouldn't be the case, which is why they are trying this new approach. The majority of WCAs are mental health related(mainly anxiety)so they trying to get such people to focus on what work activities or preparation they can do, so that they not stuck at home mentally deteriorating resulting in never improving or becoming terrified of getting a job after years of unemployment. Unfortunately as a result it will affect all disabled people who have a WCA...not agreeing with it by the way.

You sound very judgemental, it's silly to make sweeping statements. Obviously,  you have little experience of mental health problems and are just jumping on the Daily Mail bandwagon. Do you not realise how upsetting your comment is for a number of people on this site? 

Wibbles

Here's the latest stats for WCA decisions (Jan 2022 - Nov 2023)

Sgear72

Can I just say that I am one of those with mental health disorders bpd, severe anxiety and agoraphobia which has led me to being house bound for five years , stuck trapped in my bedroom for five years unable to leave it . Unable to recieve mental health treatment as unable to attend appts, I missed the last three years of my mothers life via my agoraphobia and extreme  anxiety not being able to see people including my mother whilst she battled leukaemia . I now have that guilt over my head every day. Times I have punished myself thinking I don't deserve to be here because I couldn't be there for her. The fact my daughter at 32 has to look after me full time whilst I live in my isolated cell of never seeing people, unable to attend health screenings putting my own health at risk , and you think that people like me are the problem ??? Try living a day in my shoes and live in solidarty confinement , it's not something that can be fixed and able to move on with your life it's an illness that lives with you for life like any disability , how dare you put people down like this , I never would wish anxiety agoraphobia etc on my worst enemy. My daughter struggles to go even food shopping without me having an anxiety attack, she has no social life and can hardly leave the house because of my mental health.  ?but hey easy to blame mental health then a disability you can see kimkenzie202 said:

It's because of all the people with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression(who have a WCA and end up never working again, even though those conditions can be treated quite successfully and don't tend to be permanent conditions)that the government are scrapping the WCA as(they see it as)keeping people permanently on the sick usually for life. Statistics have proven most people claiming disability for mental health usually never work again even though that shouldn't be the case, which is why they are trying this new approach. The majority of WCAs are mental health related(mainly anxiety)so they trying to get such people to focus on what work activities or preparation they can do, so that they not stuck at home mentally deteriorating resulting in never improving or becoming terrified of getting a job after years of unemployment. Unfortunately as a result it will affect all disabled people who have a WCA...not agreeing with it by the way.

judie

Sgear72 said:

Can I just say that I am one of those with mental health disorders bpd, severe anxiety and agoraphobia which has led me to being house bound for five years , stuck trapped in my bedroom for five years unable to leave it . Unable to recieve mental health treatment as unable to attend appts, I missed the last three years of my mothers life via my agoraphobia and extreme  anxiety not being able to see people including my mother whilst she battled leukaemia . I now have that guilt over my head every day. Times I have punished myself thinking I don't deserve to be here because I couldn't be there for her. The fact my daughter at 32 has to look after me full time whilst I live in my isolated cell of never seeing people, unable to attend health screenings putting my own health at risk , and you think that people like me are the problem ??? Try living a day in my shoes and live in solidarty confinement , it's not something that can be fixed and able to move on with your life it's an illness that lives with you for life like any disability , how dare you put people down like this , I never would wish anxiety agoraphobia etc on my worst enemy. My daughter struggles to go even food shopping without me having an anxiety attack, she has no social life and can hardly leave the house because of my mental health.  ?but hey easy to blame mental health then a disability you can see kimkenzie202 said:

It's because of all the people with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression(who have a WCA and end up never working again, even though those conditions can be treated quite successfully and don't tend to be permanent conditions)that the government are scrapping the WCA as(they see it as)keeping people permanently on the sick usually for life. Statistics have proven most people claiming disability for mental health usually never work again even though that shouldn't be the case, which is why they are trying this new approach. The majority of WCAs are mental health related(mainly anxiety)so they trying to get such people to focus on what work activities or preparation they can do, so that they not stuck at home mentally deteriorating resulting in never improving or becoming terrified of getting a job after years of unemployment. Unfortunately as a result it will affect all disabled people who have a WCA...not agreeing with it by the way.

 Sgear72 I agree with you and totally understand how debilitating MH can be. Often I believe that 'depression' is diagnosed as there are no resources in the NHS to look for underlying personality disorders which are chronic and terrifying. People a who don't know anything about MH are entitled to comment,  obviously, but shouldn't put their feelings as fact. You are a survivor of your mental illness and I admire your strength in getting through life -  however you manage it . 

Sgear72

Thank you I'm most definitely not a survivor , as I have not won my mental health is the winner and has me locked in a daily battle of anxiety and fear. Because I have a personality disorder does not diminish my anxiety and depression which I have suffered throughout my life due to sexual abuse. People really should comment carefully re mental health as it comes across as we are the issue and not deserving judie said:

Sgear72 said:

Can I just say that I am one of those with mental health disorders bpd, severe anxiety and agoraphobia which has led me to being house bound for five years , stuck trapped in my bedroom for five years unable to leave it . Unable to recieve mental health treatment as unable to attend appts, I missed the last three years of my mothers life via my agoraphobia and extreme  anxiety not being able to see people including my mother whilst she battled leukaemia . I now have that guilt over my head every day. Times I have punished myself thinking I don't deserve to be here because I couldn't be there for her. The fact my daughter at 32 has to look after me full time whilst I live in my isolated cell of never seeing people, unable to attend health screenings putting my own health at risk , and you think that people like me are the problem ??? Try living a day in my shoes and live in solidarty confinement , it's not something that can be fixed and able to move on with your life it's an illness that lives with you for life like any disability , how dare you put people down like this , I never would wish anxiety agoraphobia etc on my worst enemy. My daughter struggles to go even food shopping without me having an anxiety attack, she has no social life and can hardly leave the house because of my mental health.  ?but hey easy to blame mental health then a disability you can see kimkenzie202 said:

It's because of all the people with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression(who have a WCA and end up never working again, even though those conditions can be treated quite successfully and don't tend to be permanent conditions)that the government are scrapping the WCA as(they see it as)keeping people permanently on the sick usually for life. Statistics have proven most people claiming disability for mental health usually never work again even though that shouldn't be the case, which is why they are trying this new approach. The majority of WCAs are mental health related(mainly anxiety)so they trying to get such people to focus on what work activities or preparation they can do, so that they not stuck at home mentally deteriorating resulting in never improving or becoming terrified of getting a job after years of unemployment. Unfortunately as a result it will affect all disabled people who have a WCA...not agreeing with it by the way.

 Sgear72 I agree with you and totally understand how debilitating MH can be. Often I believe that 'depression' is diagnosed as there are no resources in the NHS to look for underlying personality disorders which are chronic and terrifying. People a who don't know anything about MH are entitled to comment,  obviously, but shouldn't put their feelings as fact. You are a survivor of your mental illness and I admire your strength in getting through life -  however you manage it . 

Meg24

kimkenzie202 said:

It's because of all the people with mental health disorders like anxiety and depression(who have a WCA and end up never working again, even though those conditions can be treated quite successfully and don't tend to be permanent conditions)that the government are scrapping the WCA as(they see it as)keeping people permanently on the sick usually for life. Statistics have proven most people claiming disability for mental health usually never work again even though that shouldn't be the case, which is why they are trying this new approach. The majority of WCAs are mental health related(mainly anxiety)so they trying to get such people to focus on what work activities or preparation they can do, so that they not stuck at home mentally deteriorating resulting in never improving or becoming terrified of getting a job after years of unemployment. Unfortunately as a result it will affect all disabled people who have a WCA...not agreeing with it by the way.

OMG you are so so wrong. Actually I'm really angry with what you have said I don't know where to start. 

Anxiety and depression can be seriously disabling and can often be "treatment resistant" which means many people have them for life. 

Please don't post such harmful comments when you obviously do not have personal experience of severe depression or anxiety.

Jimm_Scope

I would perhaps say it is a natural response rather than a healthy one. There is a reason depression and other mental health issues are so comorbid with other disabilities. Mental health issues are just as disabling as physical health issues. 

Please let us not diminish the struggles of other disabled people.

WhatThe

There is a reason depression and other mental health issues are so comorbid with other disabilities. 

I agree and was trying to say this!