Meacher in ‘fit to work’ blast

Thousands of sick or disabled people have died after having their “fitness for work” assessed, the Commons has been told.

MPs attacked Atos, the firm contracted to conduct work capability assessment tests.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher accused the firm of “ruthlessly” pressurising the sick and disabled into work.

Opening a Commons debate, he said 1,300 people had died after being placed in the “work-related activity group”, for those currently too ill to be in a job but expected to take steps towards an eventual return to employment.

Around 2,200 died before the assessment process was completed and 7,100 died after being placed in the group for those entitled to unconditional support due to their complete inability to work due to illness or disability.

Mr Meacher said: “Atos is an IT firm and uses a so-called logic integrated medical assessment, often described as rigid and tick-box because computer-based systems make it very difficult for health professionals to exercise their professional judgment.

“Such a system has little or no regard to the complexity of the needs of severely disabled or sick people. The British Medical Association and others have condemned the current work capability assessments as not fit for purpose.”