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Redefining ‘Fit For Work’: Welfare Reform and the Introduction of Employment Support Allowance

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Disability Benefits, Welfare Reform and Employment Policy

Part of the book series: Work and Welfare in Europe ((RECOWE))

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the introduction of Employment Support Allowance (ESA) as the primary sickness benefit in Britain. ESA represents a major shift in the sickness benefits system, and was introduced with the aim of lowering the number of claimants. This chapter draws on the findings from a major study of the introduction of the new system undertaken for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) by the authors while at the Institute for Employment Studies, Brighton, UK.

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© 2013 Helen Barnes and Paul Sissons

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Barnes, H., Sissons, P. (2013). Redefining ‘Fit For Work’: Welfare Reform and the Introduction of Employment Support Allowance. In: Lindsay, C., Houston, D. (eds) Disability Benefits, Welfare Reform and Employment Policy. Work and Welfare in Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137314277_5

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