Damian Green, the new work and pensions secretary, admits that the current regime of repeatedly testing many of those on disability benefits is pointless and even harmful

Controversial medical assessments for up to 100,000 of the most vulnerable benefit claimants, including those suffering from dementia, Parkinson’s and MS, are to be abolished as Theresa May promises a more caring welfare state.

Damian Green, the new work and pensions secretary, admits that the current regime of repeatedly testing many of those on disability benefits is pointless and even harmful, in an interview with The Times.

In the latest break from previous Tory governments, Mr Green also refuses to repeat George Osborne’s contrast between “strivers” and “skivers” and says that reality TV shows such as Benefits Street are distorted.

“It’s Theresa doing what she thinks we should do, which is that the Tory party is not the nasty party it’s a compassionate party,”