Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 11 July to Question 3587 on social security benefits, in what circumstances it is unreasonable to expect an individual to undertake any form or amount of work or work related activity.

All Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) recipients are divided in to two groups. Those assessed as having Limited Capability for Work (LCW), are placed in the Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG). This means they are required to engage with their Jobcentre Plus work coach, and take reasonable steps to move them closer to the labour market with the aim of being capable of working in the future. They are not required to search for or undertake any form of work.

Those assessed as having Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA), are placed in the Support Group. This means they are not required to participate in any work, work search or, work-related activity, but can choose to access work-related support through the Jobcentre at any point during their claim if they wish to do so.

Universal Credit claimants with Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity are not set any work-related requirements and just need to inform DWP if they have a change in circumstances that affects their claim.