Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Theresa May confronted with harsh reality of work assessments by woman on verge of tears

'I was asked in detail about suicide attempts and I came out crying because I was so upset', she says

Saturday 03 June 2017 12:30 BST

Young woman talking about WCA during BBC Question Time Leader's Debate ((BBC screengrab))

Theresa May faced an impassioned speech about the realities of work capability assessments (WCA) during BBC Question Time Leader’s Debate.

A woman in the studio audience became visibly distressed as she explained difficulties associated with the process of the assessment in order to claim disability benefits.

She said: “The NHS is an absolute shambles for mental health at the moment. I applied for NHS counselling probably, about the end of 2015. My first appointment is next Tuesday.

“I’ve been waiting a year and a half for this and I have suffered so much over that year – in part because of the work capabilities assessment.

“Let me tell you, I’m partially sighted as well. I am partially sighted. I have mental health problems, and also I have other issues – a jaw issue – and I went into my assessment and I was asked in detail about suicide attempts and I came out crying because I was so upset because of the way I was treated by that nurse.”

Theresa May responded: "I’m not going to make any excuses for the experience you have had. Both of you have raised two difference issues.

“We do look at improving how that assessment is taking place.”

The Government’s fit-to-work tests for access to disability benefits are causing permanent damage to some claimants’ mental health, according to research conducted by academics at Edinburgh’s Heriot-Watt and Napier universities.

In severe cases, “the WCA experience led to thoughts of suicide” according to 30 people who were interviewed about it.

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Show all 9

1/9Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Brexit

Labour is committed to leaving the European Union but would have different negotiating priorities to the Conservatives. It has said it would have a “strong emphasis” on staying in the single market and the customs union. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and leading figures in Brussels have been unambiguous that membership of the single market is impossible without free movement.

PA

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Immigration

The party would drop “bogus immigration targets” but move to a managed system of migration favoured by many leave voters. It has said this “may include employer sponsorship, work permits, visa regulations or a tailored mix of all these”.

Getty

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

The Economy

Labour’s manifesto commits to balance government spending with the amount raised by taxation, which can mean little more than significant tax increases. The greatest burden will fall on higher earners but they cannot meet demand on their own. It has also promised to bring rail companies back in to public ownership and cap fares. The party would also renationalise Royal Mail. It also promises a “transition” to publicly owned energy.

Peter Byrne/PA

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Tax

No one earning under £80,000 would pay any more in national insurance or income tax. It would raise corporation tax, from the current low of 19p to 26p. This higher rate would still be a competitive internationally, but the government is currently fighting hard to attract business in the wake of Brexit and they say a low corporation tax rate is crucial. Labour would also lower the top, 45p income tax threshold to £80,000. In theory, this could raise £7bn, but only if higher earnings did not decide to move abroad.

Reuters

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

NHS

Labour has promised more money for GP services, free hospital parking for patients, staff and visitors, and to take a million people off NHS waiting lists by guaranteeing treatment within eighteen weeks. These promises will be expensive to keep, and there is no certainty that the party’ s commitment to raising taxes on higher earners, increasing capital gains tax and reversing cuts to corporation tax will be enough to meet the need.

PA

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Education

The party has pledged to abolish university tuition fees and reintroduce maintenance grants and give free school meals to all schoolchildren.

PA

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Housing

Labour’s manifesto commits to building 1m new homes, and would introduce controls on rent rises for private renters. It would also scrap the so-called bedroom tax.

Getty

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Environment

Labour would ban fracking, but, crucially, also supports new nuclear projects. It would also introduce a new Clean Air Act to deal with illegal air quality

Getty

Should I vote Labour? Corbyn's biggest policies explained

Defence

Its manifesto says it is committed to the NATO target of 2 per cent spending on defence. It is also committed to the renewal of Trident, even though Jeremy Corbyn has spent a lifetime campaigning against it.

AFP/Getty Images

Sources of anxiety included a fear of losing their income, the longevity of the tests and the lack of specialist mental health training amongst assessors.

The Labour party has proposed to scrap the Work Capability and Personal Independence Payment and replace them with a personalised and holistic process, providing each individual with an individual plan tailored to their needs.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies