Beaumont welcomes ditching of Atos

Shepway Parliamentary Spokesman Lynne Beaumont has welcomed news that the Department for Work and Pensions is seeking a new provider to replace Atos' work capability assessment contract.

The contract, which was negotiated under the last Labour government to assess claimants applying for employment and support allowance, was due to end in August 2015. However, after Government negotiations, it will now end early with Atos making a financial settlement to the Department.

Lynne said:

"Good news. I hope a new provider can be found quickly who can conduct tests accurately and fairly.

"I've heard it said time after time - Atos assessments were not fit for work, and cause people with real issues hardship and distress.

"Last month we heard that there have been around 600,000 appeals since the introduction of fitness to work tests - with 42% of appeals being upheld Another 158,300 people were wrongly found fit for work by Atos, decisions that were overturned before appeal by the DWP.

"The Citizens Advice Bureau have said they believe Atos judgements have resulted in thousands of people being wrongly forced to survive on no income at all. That's unacceptable, and its good the Goverment has now acted."

Further commenting, Liberal Democrat Department for Work and Pensions spokesperson Lord German said:

"Atos has been a thorn in the side of people seeking work in this country since Labour appointed them. We've tried to get over the problem with review after review, but enough is enough.

"This was a single contract for the whole of Great Britain. Labour loves monopolies and appointed a single company with the contract to run this service across the whole country. Thankfully we now have the chance to put something better in their place."