17/08/2012

Auditors Find 'Weaknesses' In Fitness-To-Work Contract

“Weaknesses” have been found in the contract between the government and the private firm paid to carry out fit-to-work medical assessments, Atos.

The contract underpins the Department for Work and Pensions' efforts to move people from sick benefits into work.

The National Audit Office said the DWP had failed to penalise Atos for "under-performance", and had not set "sufficiently challenging" targets.

French firm Atos was paid more than £112m in the last financial year to carry out about 738,000 face-to-face medical tests on benefit claimants.


The DWP used the test results, known as work capability assessments, to decide whether people were fit to work or eligible for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

However, many of the DWP’s decisions have been challenged, with 4 in 10 being appeals being upheld at tribunals.

In a letter to Tom Greatrex, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West, seen by the BBC, the NAO's Comptroller, Amyas Morse, said it was hard to know whether changes to the tests were needed.

"It is difficult to assess, as the department does not routinely request feedback on the rationale for tribunal decisions.

"Without such data it is not clear whether any changes in the medical process are needed," Mr Morse added.

(H)

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