New data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has revealed the number of benefit claimants who have faced cancelled Work Capability Assessments (WCA) with provider Maximus. The figures were disclosed in a parliamentary answer by DWP minister Stephen Timms, following a question from SNP MP Chris Law.
As of 31 October 2025, approximately 74,000 new claimants and 40,000 existing claimants were awaiting WCA appointments with Maximus. Among them, 640 new claimants and 250 existing claimants had experienced one cancelled appointment, while 60 new and 20 existing claimants had faced two cancellations. A further 10 new claimants and five existing claimants had had their appointments cancelled more than twice, though the latter figure is rounded up from fewer than five.
A spokesperson for Maximus, the contracted assessment provider, said the company is committed to avoiding cancellations, noting that fewer than 0.4 per cent of appointments have been cancelled since its delivery began in 2024. The firm explained that cancellations are rare and usually due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a health professional being unavailable or a delay in receiving information from a claimant's GP.
Mr Timms confirmed that very few people booked for an assessment are not seen on the appointed day. He outlined that Maximus must make every effort to proceed with the appointment before cancelling, and if a cancellation is necessary, the provider attempts to contact the claimant by telephone to apologise and rearrange. The data covers the period from 9 September 2024 to 31 October 2025.
