Atos Work Capability Assessments

Debate between Lord Beamish and Robert Halfon

Thursday 17th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Robert Halfon]

I want to carry on for a moment.

The Labour Government were right to introduce the work capability assessment in the last 18 months before the 2010 election. The right hon. Member for Stirling (Mrs McGuire), the shadow Minister for disabled people, was also right at the Labour conference to defend the idea of testing in the personal independence payment, when she said:

“The principle of an arm’s-length assessment is not wrong.”

Whatever party politics might be involved, there is consensus on the principles and on what our aims should be, and that is welcome.

[Mr Kevan Jones (North Durham) (Lab)]

The hon. Gentleman is correct in saying that the first contract with Atos was introduced by the previous Government, but why did the present Government renew and extend that contract even though they knew about all the problems that he and others have raised in the House?

[Robert Halfon]

This is where I agree with the hon. Gentleman. I was very disturbed when Atos got the contract for the personal independence payments.

[Mr Jones]

That happened under this Government.

[Robert Halfon]

Yes, that is what I am saying. The reasons that were given included the fact that the infrastructure was already in place, and the cost of changing the contractor.