On 30 November 2017, a government press release announced that, following low referral rates, the assessment services provided by the Fit for Work service (FFW) would come to an end in England and Wales on 31 March 2018 and in Scotland on 31 May 2018.
In fact, the FFW website for England and Wales advises that “from 15 December 2017, Fit for Work will no longer be running its referral and assessment service”. This is understood to mean that no new referrals will be accepted but that those cases currently in the system will continue to be dealt with until 31 March 2018.