ATOS WCA Ending

[unclebulgaria67]

Government have announced that ATOS will be ending their WCA work before the contract runs out in May 2015. Sounds like it will be happening in the near future.

 

No more details are known at this stage.

[45002]

More

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26766345

[willitblend]

[Lilly_Monroe]

Sometimes better the devil you know and all that.

The new providers will come in with ALL guns blazing which does not bode well for us.

We are not going to get some nice compassionate caring company are we.

[reallymadwoman]

ATOS are just a scapegoat here, the real problem is that the only purpose for which the WCA is fit is getting as many people as possible off benefits regardless of their ability to work. It does not and cannot distinguish between those who are capable of returning to work full time as soon as their current problem is solved, i.e. those who would have gone back to work anyway, and those who could perhaps manage an hour or two with a very flexible employer whenever they could - being able to sit/stand at a workstation for 30 minutes does not make someone able to work in any meaningful capacity, but unless that person has other difficulties which will score points, they will be found fit for work with only 9 points. Add on the facts that 'with the right support' in practice means no support, fully fit people are struggling to find employment, and the types of jobs which might be available are never going to match the abilities of those being kicked off IB and ESA and the whole welfare reform programme is exposed for what it is - an underhand means of cutting the bill.

 

When ESA was first brought in I, like many, had reservations but on the whole thought it an admiral ambition. We were told that claimants would be assessed on what they could do rather than what they couldn't, following which they would be given individually tailored support so that anyone could aspire to returning to employment. The reality is that claimants are assessed against a very narrow range of activities by a flawed and target-driven process leading to inconsistent and illogical decisions regarding fitness for work, following which the only support available has been of no use to any claimants, never mind those with often complex problems and needs.

 

I am making no comment here on the necessity or otherwise of cutting the welfare bill, merely pointing out that, if that is what is needed or intended, then the government should say so and not seek to do it by stealth. I sincerely hope, but almost certainly in vain, that the demise of ATOS will provide an opportunity to revisit the whole premise of ESA and the WCA and at least make it fair and consistent, even if that means we're all a few pounds a week worse off.

[45002]

 

 

 

All the government will do now is hire Locum gp's in the area's where atos worked to carry on WCA on new claimants for ESA or ask other providers to take some of the work load !

 

It said it would "work hard to support transition to a new provider", adding: "We will be transferring our infrastructure and employees to ensure consistency of service to those going through the process.

 

"There will be no change for those applying for employment and support allowance."

 

Atos will continue to carry out the assessments in Northern Ireland under a separate contract.

 

It will also continue with assessments for personal independence payment (PIP) - another welfare change introduced by the government - in Scotland, the north of England, London and the south of England.

 

Another company, Capita, provide PIP assessments in central England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26766345

 

ATOS are not going far and WCA is not going any where

[rds60h]

As already stated above, no real change WCA are still in situ, just ATOS finishing their Contract to do those assessments early.

No doubt that will give ATOS more resources to make life hell for those who will have to undergo PIP assessments !!

[letsmakeamark]

so does that mean people can appeal by saying their assessments are flawed ?

[Asleep In Wonder]

There's an article in The Independent which mentions that the DWP are in discussions with Capita (ugh) and the American outsourcing company Maximus (double plus ugh) to take over the contracts. The DWP are looking to enhance "competition" by having more than one provide to wreck lives with the WCA.

 

 

The only purpose competition is going to serve I fear, is one of making each provider of WCAs compete with each other as to how many they can report as fit for work. The DWP are likely to lower the "norm" for assessment outcomes so fewer and fewer people will be awarded benefits.

 

 

I can't yet post links here, but go to The Independent site ----> Politics----->UK Politics----->Black hole fears as Atos ends ‘fit-to-work’ contract early

It was published yesterday (Thursday 27th March 2014)

[Grotesque]

Thanks to AIW for the info.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/black-hole-fears-as-atos-ends-fittowork-contract-early-9219832.html?origin=internalSearch