The DWP have released statistics on the number of work capability assessments (WCA) that have been recorded between December 2012 and February 2014.{jcomments on}
Claimants have the right to ask for their WCA face-to-face assessment recorded by the DWP, though this has not been extended to personal independence payment assessments. This right was not publicised until July 2013, when information about the option to have your medical recorded was included in standard letters sent out to claimants.
The total number of recordings requested in this period was 4,060, amounting to just 0.66% of all the assessments carried out. Nonetheless, 1080 of these were cancelled. The reasons for the cancellations are not given, but claimants often report being told that the recording equipment was broken or not available when they turned up for their assessment.
Crucially, the DWP have not released any information on whether claimants who have their assessment recorded are more or less likely to be found capable of work or placed in the support group.
