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https://www.disabilitynewsservice.c...-unacceptable-failings-on-quality-of-reports/
PIP assessment companies admit ‘unacceptable’ failings on quality of reports
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BY JOHN PRING ON DECEMBER 7, 2017
PIP assessment companies admit ‘unacceptable’ failings on quality of reports
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BY JOHN PRING ON DECEMBER 7, 2017
The two outsourcing companies paid hundreds of millions of pounds to carry out disability benefit assessments have never met contractual quality standards on the reports their staff write for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), they have told MPs.
Capita and Atos began delivering assessments for the new personal independence payment (PIP) – which is gradually replacing working-age disability living allowance – in April 2013, but neither of them have ever met the standards laid down in their contracts for the reports produced by their assessors.
Executives from the two companies (pictured) were giving evidence to MPs on the work and pensions select committee yesterday (Wednesday) as part of its inquiry into disability benefit assessments.
Atos and Capita are set to be paid more than £700 million between them over the first five years of their contracts to assess PIP claimants in England, Scotland and Wales.
But the committee heard that, at one stage, 60 per cent of assessment reports being completed by Capita healthcare professionals and sent to DWP were judged to be of an “unacceptable” standard.