A campaign to highlight the flaws in the government’s fit-for-work benefit test which assesses the capability of people with mental illnesses getting into employment is being backed by Manchester MP Kate Green
The Stretford and Urmston MP has pledged her support for Rethink Mental Illness after an event in Westminster to raise awareness among MPs gave deeper insight into the assessment made by government to decide whether people are fit to return to work.
Ms Green participated in a MP Capability Test which mirrors the Work Capability Assessment testing around 20,000 people with mental illnesses every week to also decide on financial support and benefits.
She expressed her dissatisfaction with the test which made her feel ‘powerless and confused’ and a recent court case involving three judges found that the tests put people with mental health problems at a ‘substantial disadvantage’.
Ms Green said: “The MPs’ Work Capability Assessment was an eye-opener – I felt powerless, rushed and confused. It brought home to me how it must feel to those going through it for real.
“Of course it’s right we should do all we can to enable those with mental health problems to contribute fully in the workplace, and to have a test to assess their fitness for work, but this test is fundamentally broken and DWP should go back to the drawing board.”
Lara Carmona, Head of Campaigns for Rethink Mental Illness, said: “This was obviously a slightly tongue in cheek exercise, but there is a very serious message underpinning it. Just as we don’t think our MP Capability Assessment accurately reflects Kate Green’s ability to be an MP, nor does the Work Capability Assessment fairly judge whether someone with mental illness is able to work.
“That’s why we are delighted that Kate has backed our call for the Government to make the fit-for-work test fair for people with mental illness.
“The system isn’t working, and it’s in everyone’s interests that we have a fair and accurate assessment process, which gets it right the first time. It could make a huge difference to some of the most vulnerable people in Manchester.”
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