MINISTERS have been told to fix the broken welfare system after MPs found failings and a lack of trust in health assessments.

A “profound lack of trust” in the system of health assessments for benefits was found by the work and pensions committee.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it has proposed to remove the work capability assessment (WCA) for people on universal credit and employment support allowance.

This means there will only be one assessment in the future, the personal independence payment (PIP) assessment, however the WCA will remain in place until at least 2026.

The move was welcomed by disability support charity Sense, which provided evidence to the committee, but said change was needed sooner.

Under the system, 69 per cent of health assessment decisions are reversed on appeal.

Sense chief executive Richard Kramer said: “Benefits are a lifeline for many disabled people, especially those with more complex needs, who may be unable to work or who face extra costs because of their disability.

“But too often we hear from disabled people who have a negative experience of the benefits system, with poorly handled assessments leading to the wrong result, leaving them and their families upset and struggling to make ends meet.

“The committee are correct in their findings and it’s essential that we address a broken system that currently lets down too many of the people it exists to support. 

“But we cannot sit back and wait, especially with the additional challenges people face, such as the cost of living. 

“The government must make the benefits system fairer by acting now on the committee’s findings.”

The DWP said it will take the necessary time to look into the recommendations found in the report and will introduce a new personalised health conditionality approach in place of the WCA.