31 May 2007

Welfare Reform Act 2007 receives royal assent, introducing changes that will impact millions of disabled people, including the new employment and support allowance (ESA) and the work capability assessment (WCA).

What: The new Welfare Reform Act 2007 introduces the new employment and support allowance (ESA) and work capability assessment (WCA) to replace incapacity benefit and the personal capability assessment. The new act will introduce three new categories for those who have been assessed: those who are fit for work, those seen as having limited capability for work, and those who have limited capability for work and work-related activity (the so-called support group). It also includes a requirement for five annual independent reviews of the new WCA.

Why significant: The legislation introduces hugely significant changes that will impact millions of disabled people over the next decade and cause untold harm to many of them.