Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Work Capability Assessments

Monday 9 March 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • A backlog of work capability assessments built up during 2024.
  • The Department prioritises initial assessments over reassessments.
  • The backlog is expected to be almost entirely cleared by the end of the month.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A backlog of reassessments for the work capability assessment built up during 2024, impacting claimants awaiting reassessment.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of work capability assessment clearance times of over two years on claimants?

Answer from Stephen Timms

A backlog of reassessments for the work capability assessment did build up during 2024. This backlog will have been almost entirely cleared by the end of this month.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The impact of long clearance times on claimants was not directly addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Manuela Perteghella Lib Dem Stratford-on-Avon
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Research from Scope found that only 7% of work capability assessments carried out in 2025 were reassessments for existing claimants, compared with 19% the previous year. A constituent has experienced a health deterioration and needs reassessment.

Question

Research from Scope found that, in 2025, only 7% of work capability assessments carried out were reassessments for existing claimants, compared with 19% the previous year. One of my constituents has experienced a significant deterioration in their health and urgently requires reassessment to determine whether they should now receive the limited capability for work and work-related activity element of universal credit. What further urgent actions will the Minister take to reduce waiting times and ensure that disabled people are not left without financial support?

Answer from Stephen Timms

The Department prioritises initial assessments, so people without any support at all get it as soon as possible. Reassessments are then carried out when there is capacity. The backlog built up towards the end of 2024 will have been almost entirely cleared by the end of this month. If there is still a problem in the case of her constituent, I would be grateful if she dropped me a line.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Urgent actions to reduce waiting times were not specifically addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)