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Reassessments scrapped for chronically ill benefits claimants

Sickness benefits claimants will no longer have to go through reassessments to keep their payments if they suffer from chronic illnesses.

Employment Support Allowance (ESA) will continue automatically for those who have lifelong, severe health conditions with no prospect of improvement, Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green has said.

The testing process, which includes reassessing conditions every six months, has come in for heavy criticism, amid claims it fails some of the most seriously ill and disabled.

But Mr Green said the reforms, which will be unveiled at the upcoming Conservative party conference, will help end the anxiety and financial insecurity that claimants may have felt.

The criteria will be drawn up with health professionals, but illnesses such as severe Huntingdon's, autism or a congenital heart condition, are among those likely to qualify for continuous payments without reassessment.

Mr Green said: "We are building a country that works for everyone - not just the privileged few.

"A key part of that is making sure that all those who are able to work are given the support and the opportunity to do so.

"But it also means ensuring that we give full and proper support to those who can't.

"That includes sweeping away any unnecessary stress and bureaucracy - particularly for the most vulnerable in society.

"If someone has a disease which can only get worse then it doesn't make sense to ask them to turn up for repeated appointments.

"If their condition is not going to improve, it is not right to ask them to be tested time after time. So we will stop it."

The Government climbdown on the controversial policy is set to be seized on by Labour as another victory.

Jeremy Corbyn in his recent party conference speech claimed credit for the opposition in forcing previous U-turns on cuts to tax credits and disability benefits.

Sky News Political Correspondent Tamara Cohen said: "Theresa May is again distancing herself from the previous administration, by trying to detoxify the issue of welfare.

"While planned benefit cuts will go ahead next year, there will be new no ones and the change of language is important.

"There's no more of George Osborne's 'skivers' and 'strivers'.

"Welfare secretary Damian Green makes clear that scrapping assessments for seriously ill claimants is about showing the Tories are a compassionate party who care about the vulnerable.

"It's also about shedding the 'nasty party' tag."