More stories are emerging of the extreme distress and hardship caused to sick and disabled wrongly found fit to workby Atos,the french private contractor, and consequently denied benefits by the DWP.
The Commons public accounts committee last month blamed ministers for the "misery and hardship" suffered by claimants, saying that while Atos (which has earned more than £100 m a year over the past four years for its "work capability" contract) was getting assessments disastrously wrong, the government was doing nothing to check or improve reliability.
Nor was there any sign of improvement with CAB reporting an 83% increase in the last year in the number of people asking for support on appeals against decisions. Charities and legal advisers also complain that people with long term, incurable or terminal conditions often face repeated assessments to prove how unwell they are, despite supplying doctors and consultants evidence that their health wil never improve.
As from next month legal aid is withdrawn from the vast majority of benefit cases. The government is reneging on a promise from former Lord hancellor Kenneth Clarke to allow free legal support in "point of law" cases at the first-tier tribunal level- the stage of the tribunal process where most cases remain.
This is part of an article in Private Eye 8th March issue. I thought our members may find it interesting.
Izzy51
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Izzy51
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At0s. Was a American insurance company who are banned in America....funny thAt.also it was on the Times last week of the party get back in next time they will leave the European human rights laws it seem s were not gonna have any laws to help is in Britain what will happen to is all I am getting so scared about the future where will we be..
Unum devised the Work Capability Assessment that Atos use and they (Unum) are discredited and banned by the States and the Netherlands! DWP figures state that 74 people per week die after being found fit for work!! How many people must die before it's considered 'Crimes Against Humanity.' More worrying if the Human Rights Law is removed what redress will we have?
I have read this about Unum before - I am amazed that our Government will even entertain using such a company for such a contract and it makes my blood boil!!
More and more of our rights are being taken away and we are being belittled by an uncaring system for cutbacks, yet this company can pocket millions and millions of pounds through inefficiency, ignorance and an uncaring regime because the Government have not, in my opinion, done their homework or simply taken the cheapest option open to them, or both!! It wouldn’t be the first time.
Given the poor track record and complaints and cost of appeals etc., the Government should ‘look into’ and investigate the company and the set up with a view to replacing it with a more efficient, understanding and knowledgeable BRITISH BASED company as soon as possible.
The Hospitals are being investigated – so why not this?!
We should all be writing to our MP's and asking questions of the government - I certainly have and I urge you all to do the same - get your voice heard!!
Ty celibar you are spot on about writing to our mps perhaps we could set up a template for people to download who are not quiet eloquent at letter writting or just feel that they wouldnt know what to put in such a letter..im sure most people would be grateful and have the chance to voice thier fearscand worries. Wishingbyou a happy stressless pain free week gentle hugs xx
Well done cellbar, im so pleased you are willing to take the time to help everyone. What a blessing you are im sure everyone will be delighted and use it as you say they can put their own twist on it.bless you.. im sure this could lead to great progessio. Marshmallow hugs to you xx nite nite
I find it very hard to understand where the DLA/PIP benefit situation is going and extremely worrying too if certain providers remain in control of so-called medicals for the switch of DLA to PIP.
If I may give you some background information:
From a previous Benefits & Work Newsletter:
"DLA TO PIP MEDICAL BONANZA"
Disability living allowance (DLA) claimants have been divided into four regional lots and are being sold off to ten short listed bidders – including multinational security companies - for the purpose of being medically assessed for personal independence payment.
A fifth, nationwide lot is also up for grabs, but the DWP have said they do not intend to use this contract unless things go wrong with regional suppliers.
PIP is due to begin replacing DLA for working age claimants from spring next year, with all current DLA claimants having to be reassessed for the new benefit. The contracts for PIP medicals are worth up to a billion pounds in total and have attracted the attention of many multinational companies.
Amongst the bidders through to the final round in all four regions is the increasingly heavily criticised Atos, who will undoubtedly be hoping that their LIMA software will give them the edge over their rivals.
Relative newcomers to the scene are security guards G4S, who have also been shortlisted for every contract. Their forensic medical arm, though more used to helping catch rapists and paedophiles, won a small contract to pilot PIP assessments last year. In 2010, three G4S security guards were bailed after the death, whilst they were restraining him, of an Angolan refugee being deported from Heathrow.
Serco, another company with a heavy security presence, have been shortlisted for Northern Ireland. Amongst many other contracts, Serco run prisons, detention centres and immigration removal centres in the UK and abroad. In Australia, a Serco training manual is alleged to have taught employees how to use pain, including punches and kicks, to subdue asylum seekers.
Capita, which runs the Criminal Records Bureau on behalf of the Home Office and is invariably referred to as ‘Crapita’ by Private Eye, has also been short listed for all regions. The company has been involved in a number of less than successful public service contracts in the past, including Individual Learning Accounts which were subject to fraudulent claims on an unprecedented scale and which were shut down after just one year.
Other potential providers include Avanta, Ingeus Deloitte, APM UK, Reed In Partnership and Vertex."
More up to date information now from Private Eye in March this year:
More stories are emerging of the extreme distress and hardship caused to sick and disabled wrongly found fit to work by Atos, the french private contractor, and consequently denied benefits by the DWP.
The Commons Public Accounts Committee last month blamed ministers for the "misery and hardship" suffered by claimants, saying that while Atos (which has earned more than £100m a year over the past four years for its "work capability" contract) was getting assessments disastrously wrong, the Government was doing nothing to check or improve reliability.
Nor was there any sign of improvement with CAB reporting an 83% increase in the last year in the number of people asking for support on appeals against decisions. Charities and legal advisers also complain that people with long term, incurable or terminal conditions often face repeated assessments to prove how unwell they are, despite supplying doctors and consultants evidence that their health will never improve.
As from next month legal aid is withdrawn from the vast majority of benefit cases. The government is reneging on a promise from former Lord Chancellor Kenneth Clarke to allow free legal support in "point of law" cases at the first-tier tribunal level - the stage of the tribunal process where most cases remain.
How is this allowed to go on? How does this Government believe that this is helping or improving the system? The track record already speaks for itself.
Removing legal support is only adding insult to injury and back tacking on another promise.
Who is responsible for these dire decisions? It surely needs investigating, something is not right somewhere! No-one in their right mind can think this is the correct path or best decision for British disabled people.. this is peoples lives the Government are playing with - its not a game for people living with a disability.
What criteria has been set down for these type of companies to be able to apply for such a role? How can British Government want to work with Companies that are banned and being investigated elsewhere? Is it because they are cheap? I use this in the loosest term as hundreds of millions of wasted pounds are not cheap! Though this would explain why we are getting such lousy value for money!
More and more of our rights are being taken away and we are being belittled by an uncaring system for cutbacks, yet this company can pocket millions and millions of pounds through inefficiency, ignorance and an uncaring regime because the Government have not, in my opinion, done their homework or simply taken the cheapest option open to them, or both!! It would not be the first time.
Given the poor track record and complaints and cost of appeals etc., the Government should investigate the company and the set up with a view to replacing it with a more efficient, understanding and knowledgeable BRITISH BASED company as soon as possible.
Who/what is this 'fifth' option?
The Hospitals are being investigated – so why not this?!
That is excellent. I don't mean to add fuel to the fire but I came across the article below, it's a lot of reading (need to pace it, I'm sorry) but it's a strong argument and it seems very factual. I am not sure how truthful the information is but it's interesting (please don't take it to heart because on first reading I felt a bit angry)
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Some information regarding the change over from DLA to PIP and the assessment involved.
ATOS has won the contract to do the PIP assessments!
Statement of Reason
Had my tribunal for ESA and won!
