[Hywel Williams in the Chair] — Work Capability Assessments

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 10:06 am on 1 February 2012.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Michael Connarty Michael Connarty Labour, Linlithgow and East Falkirk 10:06, 1 February 2012

I echo everything that my hon. Friend says about the appeals process and the total lack of credibility of Atos. Earlier, she mentioned the systemic problem of DWP officers overruling all of the evidence, even that from Atos. Will the Minister address the fact that many people who are told that they cannot work again are suddenly taken off the support system in the DWP and put on to the other system, thus causing them great problems? They are made to go through rituals of training and work interviews when everyone agrees that they cannot work again. Surely that power should be clearly defined. If someone is told that they cannot work again, DWP officials should not be allowed to overrule that decision.