DWP Central Freedom of Information Team
e-mail: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx
Our Ref: FOI2020/10927
Date: 31 March 2020
Dear Gemma Partridge,
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received on 6 March 2020. You asked for:
“FoI request 1 of 2: If they exist, please provide the procedures and guidance put into place by the
DWP during 2017 and later to prevent mistranslation of work capability assessment scores. We
don't require any personal information. Refer to example and background if necessary.
Example: People with no legs being found 'fit for work' with the claim from DWP they can "Climb
stairs with their arms"
FoI request 2 of 2: If it exists, please provide the procedure or guidance document which would
have told DWP staff at the time (around 2016 and 2017) that people with no legs can "Climb stairs
with their arms". We would like to see the documentation which told DWP staff that they can say
this to people.
Background: In 2017 the DWP admitted an error after they told man with no legs he was fit to work
as he can 'Climb stairs with his arms'. They stated “When someone comes in for an assessment
they are asked to do a number of actions, and the way the scores were translated caused a clerical
error.”
Article for public reference: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/dwp-admits-error-man-with-no-
legs-climb-stairs-arms_uk_58b68641e4b060480e0d06da”
DWP Response
In response to your questions, it may be helpful if I explain the role of the Freedom of Information
Act. The Act provides a right of access to recorded information held by a public authority like DWP
(subject to certain exemptions). The Act does not oblige a public authority to create new
information to answer questions; nor does it require a public authority to give advice, opinion or
explanation in relation to issues/policies under question.
However, to be helpful you can find information about the work capability assessment for DWP
decision makers in the following links on Gov.uk.
For the Advice for Decision Makers, the relevant chapter is U2:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-for-decision-making-staff-guide
For the Decision Makers Guide, the relevant chapter is chapter 47:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/decision-makers-guide-staff-guide
To find the amendments for each, click on the relevant chapter and scroll down the page to find the
amendments for that chapter.
Also, below are links to the WCA Handbook used by the Healthcare Professionals: 2017 and the
latest version – Chapter 3.2.2 – Descriptor W(b) refers:
WCA Handbook 2017:
https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20171216033425/https://www.gov.uk/government/publi
cations/work-capability-assessment-handbook-for-healthcare-professionals WCA Handbook latest:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/
871571/wca-handbook.pdf
If you have any queries about this letter, please contact the Department quoting the reference num-
ber above.
Yours sincerely,
Policy Group FOI Team
Department for Work and Pensions
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailin
g freedom-of-information-
xxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Any review
request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner’s
Office for a decision. Generally, the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted our own
complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office,
Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF
We
b: ico.org.uk/Global/contact_us or telephone 0303 123 1113 or 01625 545745