The current work capability assessments put forward by the government are not performing well enough for those with a learning disability, it has been claimed.

Mencap has expressed concern over the way the assessments are being implemented, explaining that it is “not necessarily working well” for people with a learning disability.

David Congdon, head of campaigns and policy at Mencap, said: “We have done a lot of work over the last few years with the Department for Work and Pensions and are now trying to make the work capability assessment fair.

“We still have those concerns about [whether] it is working well for people with a learning disability.”

A report by the Work and Pensions Committee said that the government needs to be proactive in explaining its aims for the process and in emphasising the range of support which will be available to claimants.

The report also said that the service provided by Atos Healthcare, which carries out the work capability assessment, has often fallen below the standard claimants rightly expect.

Mencap is the voice of learning disability. Everything we do is about valuing and supporting people with a learning disability, and their families and carers.