Work Capability Assessment
Commons · Question 114416 · Tabled 20 Feb 2026 · Department for Work and Pensions · Official record
Answered 9 Mar 2026
Question
Asked by Cat Eccles
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many current cases are there where Work Capability Assessments have taken longer than the 13 weeks set out in departmental guidelines.
Answer
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms, 9 Mar 2026
It might be helpful to explain that the 13 weeks set out in departmental guidelines only applies to the assessment phase of Employment Support Allowance. It is the guideline for when the department expects a decision to be made upon entitlement to Employm...