The new report looks particularly on the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and the Work Programme (WP).  Based on the most comprehensive survey of users conducted so far, together with international comparators and detailed, expert analysis, Beyond the Barriers sets out the problems with the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and Work Programme. It suggests alternatives based on creating value for taxpayers and offering genuine support to those in need, both in-work and out-of-work.

The report is being welcomed by charities such as MIND, Scope, CAB Action and others as an important contribution to the debate.

It has also been commended by Dame Anne Begg MP, Chair of the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee.

Beyond the Barriers has been co-published by the Christian political think-tank Ekklesia, which promotes social justice in collaboration with people of many and no religious convictions.

It will also appear in the online library of the Centre for Welfare Reform, which argues that "the welfare state is a good thing, it's just designed wrong - let's make it better."

Simon Barrow, co-director of Ekklesia, said today: "This is a vital report. It demonstrates from a wealth of evidence the failure of the current ESA system and the assessments driving it. It also proposes a credible, alternative approach rooted in the experience and expertise of people living with long-term health conditions and disabilities themselves.

"Beyond the Barriers shows the way for future policy-making on welfare. Government by ill-fitting, top-down solutions based on false money-saving expectations is bad for the country, bad for democracy, bad for the economy and especially bad for the most vulnerable people in society. Once again Spartacus researchers have illustrated why a major turnaround in attitude and approach is required on ESA, WCA and the Work Programme."  Read more here