The document appears to be the results of a consultation survey conducted by Action for M.E. regarding welfare reform and the Work Capability Assessment in the UK. The survey asked questions about whether the assessment accurately identifies those with M.E. who should be in the support or work-related activity groups. Additional questions addressed experiences with past assessments, the impact of assessments on health, and views on new proposals to support returning to employment. The responses showed that most felt the assessment does not accurately identify capability levels and that health has been negatively impacted. When asked about changes to make work easier, increased understanding of M.E. was most commonly cited.

1. Action for M.E.
Welfare Reform
Consultation Survey
October 2008

2. Welfare
Reform

3. Do you think the Work Capability Assessment will accurately identify
which people with M.E. should go in the Support Group and which
should go into the Work Related Activity Group?
Yes
No
Not sure
Total Responses: 899

4. Do you agree that the new Work Capability Assessment will make it
easier for the Department for Work and Pensions to assess accurately
the functional ability of people with different levels of M.E. to work?
Yes
No
Not sure
Total Responses: 887

5. In the past three years, have you taken part in a
benefits assessment?
Yes
No
Not sure
Total Responses: 890

6. If yes, have you experienced any of the following during
a capability assessment?
An inappropriate assessment environment 186
165
Recognition of need for time to recover 111
208
Suitable guidance for assessors 50
238
Appropriate tests for functionality 49
296
Assumption of capability of work 200
131
Evidence from own GP 116
202
Assumption of not wanting to work 172
139
Lack of evidence from M.E. specialist 186
124
Disregard of evidence from GP 170
124
Prejudice or disbelief 222
104
Employers will employ disabled people 156
101
Recognition that time is needed to recover 47
248
Understanding of fluctuation 99
266
Employers are able to support disabled people 159
88
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Yes No
Total Responses: 424

7. Has the benefits assessment affected your
health, in the short term or long term?
Yes No
Total Responses: 611

8. Have you had a relapse as a result of a Personal
Capability Assessment?
Yes No
Total Responses: 574

9. From what you know, do you agree that the new proposals for
providing more support for people to get back into work, will make it
easier for people with M.E. to get back into employment?
Yes
No
Not sure
Total Responses: 879

10. If you think the new proposals will not make it easier
for people who have M.E. to get back into work, what
will the biggest problems be?
67
Appropriate help not available 66
89
90
Employers not accomodating 84
93
128
Not enough employers accommodating 115
86
119
Jobs too demanding 157
96
20
Jobs too low paid 61
56
20
Not cost effective 33
73
189
Detrimental to long-term health 105
102
21
Other 11
23
0 50 100 150 200
1st 2nd 3rd
Total Responses: 655

11. If you think the new proposals will not make it easier
for people who have M.E. to get back into work, what
will the biggest problems be?
Appropriate help not available 67 66 89
Employers not accomodating 90 84 93
Not enough employers accommodating 128 115 86
Jobs too demanding 119 157 96
Jobs too low paid 20 61 56
Not cost effective 20 33 73
Detrimental to long-term health 189 105 102
Other 21 11 23
0 99 198 297 396
1st 2nd 3rd
Total Responses: 655

12. In your view, which changes would make it easier for
those people who have M.E. who could possibly work
to return to work and remain in employment?
Increased understanding of M.E. amongst support providers
Increased understanding of M.E. amongst employers
Increased understanding of M.E. amongst medical examiners
Financial support for employers
Financial help for people to stay in work
Good practice guide for employers
More incentives for employers
Harsher penalties under Disability Discrimination Act
Availability of legal aid
Availability of part-time, flexible work
Continued support from support providers
Other
0 65 130 195 260 325
1st 2nd 3rd
Total Responses: 849

13. In your view, which changes would make it easier for
those people who have M.E. who could possibly work
to return to work and remain in employment?
Increased understanding of M.E. amongst support providers 81 132 82
Increased understanding of M.E. amongst employers 102 182 157
Increased understanding of M.E. amongst medical examiners 325 90 60
Financial support for employers 13 41 41
Financial help for people to stay in work 33 56 70
Good practice guide for employers 7 16 29
More incentives for employers 23 61 71
Harsher penalties under Disability Discrimination Act 19 30 39
Availability of legal aid 515 20
Availability of part-time, flexible work 202 140 141
Continued support from support providers 20 51 79
Other 17 12 27
0 100 200 300 400 500
1st 2nd 3rd
Total Responses: 849

14. Please indicate whether you want to view the
list of questions.
Yes please
No thanks
Total Responses: 903

15. Questions to choose from.
Question 8 66
Question 9 50
Question 14 56
Question 15 45
Question 16 157
Question 17 85
Question 18 63
Question 20 33
Question 21 51
0 50 100 150 200
Total Responses: 205