A CITY charity has welcomed a Government pledge to improve the tests which determine if someone is fit for work.

In September, the Oxford Mail reported that a number of people were being declared ‘fit for work’ when they were not.

It included a 28-year-old woman with a terminal brain tumour and a man who could barely walk.

But a review by Prof Malcolm Harrington has recommended changes to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

The suggestions included creating mental health champions who understand better the problems experienced by people applying for benefits.

The move has been praised by the Barton-based Oxfordshire Community Work Agency.

Last night manager Suzy Drohan said: “We welcome this review and its findings, especially the aspects about there being more feedback needed.

“If these decisions are correctly implemented, fewer people will find themselves in the stages of an appeal.”

The WCA is used to assess new claims for sickness benefits.

From early next year, it will also be used to assess everyone on incapacity benefits, to see whether they are fit for work.

The Oxfordshire Community Work Agency takes unfair benefit cases to tribunal and this year won 93 per cent of its 300 cases.

Mrs Drohan said: “We are all very excited, because this is what we have been saying for some time.

“There needs to be better communication, more feedback and a change to the flawed medical exam.

“If it works, this will be a big step forward.”

Coalition Government Employment Minister Chris Grayling pledged to accept all the recommendations.

He said: “Improving the WCA is central to our commitment to help thousands of people start the journey back to work, and the Harrington Review is a crucial step towards this.

“It’s in everyone’s interest that we get the WCA right and Prof Harrington’s recommendations will make the assessment fairer and more effective.”

The Department for Work and Pensions said 890 people in Oxford and 3,110 around the county had been tested under the new rules and were receiving the benefit.

There are a further 12,490 people in Oxfordshire claiming other incapacity-related benefits.

Prof Harrington said: “I have found that the WCA is not working as well as it should.

“However, this is not about ripping up the current system and starting all over again.

“I am proposing a substantial series of recommendations to improve the fairness and effectiveness of the WCA.”