Fewer disabled people qualifying for ESA

More than 5,000 fewer people were granted ESA in the last three months for which data is available than in the previous quarter. In fact, during this period statistics showed the overall proportion of claims approved for ESA fell to just 23%. However, there was a small rise in the number of people qualifying for the most severely affected support group where no work activity is required.   Since the benefit was introduced in 2008 only 7% of those who applied have been found disabled enough to qualify for the support group, according to the new figures. A further 17% were requ...