We already know that the Work Capability Assessment is the "harshest"  assessment in Europe for access to ESA.  There have been several reviews on this thus far. Yes it does adversely affect those who are disabled not just long term sick. No there is no exemption if you have Higher Rate Care of Disability Living Allowance. In fact you can have a scenario where you enter into protracted appeals because on the one hand you get DLA but the WCA finds you able causing a contradiction. It will be interesting to see how this "plays out" when those on Incapacity Benefit are migrated across to Employment & Support Allowance.

In the Financial Times & Guardian today you may be interested in -

Click here for "New test raises the bar for sickness benefits" in the Financial Times.

Click here for "Doubts over number of sickness benefit claims" in the Guardian.