MP pledge to carry on fit-to-work tests fight

Oldham MP Michael Meacher will continue the fight to get controversial medical assessments suspended.

The campaign followed the death of Colin Traynor, an Oldham epilepsy sufferer who had his benefits cut when he was considered fit to work.

Mr Traynor died following a seizure before his appeal could be heard, and authorities later admitted he should not have suffered the benefit cut.

Mr Meacher had raised the case of Mr Traynor in the Commons and has since been contacted by people across the country experiencing similar assessement problems.

Mr Meacher said: “Sadly, Colin was not an isolated case. I will keep pressing this in the Commons and demanding action. It is grossly unjust, unfair and unreasonable.”

Mr Meacher wants the points-based assessments to be scrapped and a new system introduced, which would leave those clearly too ill for work out of the testing regime.

He also wants the appeals process speeded up and the suspension of the assessment company, Atos, until a more sensitive system is introduced.

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