Tuesday 27th October
Controversies and flaws in the Work Capability Assessment are by now well documented, with a large percentage of those declared ‘fit for work’ successfully appealing. In 2014, the Scottish Government’s Expert Working Group on Welfare described the Work Capability Assessment as ‘not fit for purpose’.
The Work Capability Assessment is founded on the idea that social security costs in the UK are too high, that claiming social security indicates inappropriately dependent behaviours, and that paid work is the most important contribution a person can make to society. Whilst the Work Capability Assessment has been criticised on many fronts, these ideas remain powerful. Can or should the long-term sick and those with disabilities try to carve out alternative public meanings and ideas about their lives?
This Policy Scotland Welfare Reform Network event will discuss current issues with the Work Capability Assessment, and ways in which groups, individuals and policymakers could work together to respond to these.
- 18:00 Introductions and Welcome
- 18:05 Professor Nick Watson, University of Glasgow – Blaming the victim all over again: the Work Capability Assessment and the Biopsychosocial Model of Disability
- 18:25 Bill Scott, Inclusion Scotland – The WCA: Not Fit for Work or Not Fit For Purpose?
- 18:45 Questions and Discussion
This is a free public event – all are welcome. The building and room in which this talk is taking place is fully accessible. Please contact a.watson.2@research.gla.ac.uk if you have any accessibility requirements, and we will do our best to meet these.
