Thursday 27 March 2014

ATOS out, but secrets and spin remain

We knew that ATOS were pulling out of their WCA contract, but the terms have now been agreed.  Of course, we don't know what those terms are; commercial confidentiality and all that.  But Mike Penning, the minister, is obscuring matters even further by first insisting that "Atos will not receive a single penny of compensation from the taxpayer for the early termination of their contract.  Quite the contrary, Atos has made a substantial financial settlement to the department," and then, "“They haven’t pulled out actually, we’ve removed them from the contract.  This is not them walking away.”  But "sources close to the company" pointed out that, "People don't usually pay a fine if they've been sacked."  In other words, Penning wants to talk tough and insist that it was the DWP which sacked ATOS, whereas we know that the company wanted out and was negotiating terms.  
The Independent says that the DWP is talking to Capita and Maximus with a view to them taking over the contract, but it's felt that the government is going to have to pay a huge amount of money to get anyone to take it, since it only lasts until August next year.  And Channel 4 News' Factcheck blog has pointed out that the assessments, although carried out by the company, were devised by the DWP.  Will they be changed?  
Atos says that anyone who has an appointment with them for an assessment must keep it, but they won't be making any new appointments.

10 comments:

  1. That also makes you wonder who is going to take over NCG work programme contract. They have terminated it but NCG have to continue for the next 12 months. Leaving 1 year left. Who would invest for a 1 year contract.

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  2. I am by no means an accounting genius,but it does seem failure pays,full marks for Margaret Hodge,she cut no slack during the Atos PAC grilling and hopefully will someday get IDS to actually answer a question in the near future. After signing on yesterday,I asked about CWP and what could be expected,the answer was "You will have to give back to the Community in order to keep receiving your JSA" Ok,but what,where and when? "We will be informed on the 28 of April" Ok,but do you have anything outlined,an overview? "No,you will be assigned to a provider" As in the same WP Provider? "Yes" . After looking it up the Providers will charge £2000 in stages,and the way I read it,results do not matter,just the administration of the(Free) labour pool,even these Jokers can't mess this up(sic) after a few enquires to someone involved they are having problems with finding individual companies willing to take on placements,also the cost to the Provider to police this would be rather high,the Solution? It apparently has been discussed that the cheapest way to manage this and conform with the "Community Benefit" rule is to form Work Task Forces consisting of between 30-56 (Max the Bus can hold) workers,2 Monitors and pick any Public area that needs attention(?) I can see some benefit for the Community,a huge Profit for the Provider (£112000 less £30K+/- in costs) but No benefit for the Unemployed,so what is the real purpose? I was informed that Safety Gear(Boots,Pants) would be the responsibility of the individual,Hi-Vis will be supplied,Bus tickets will not be issued,designated pick up points will be utilised (Within 3 Miles) miss the Bus? Sanction.

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    1. I would be interested to hear more about your source of info. Very worrying for anyone facing this.

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    2. Health and Safety Legislation states that employers are responsible for supplying protective clothing where it is deemed necessary:
      http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/ppe.htm

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    3. The Council is a partner with the Provider,my source is a Council employee,I cannot be more specific about where as their job would be in jeopardy,

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    4. Fair enough I would not expect that but thanks. So that covers the manual community service style element. I guess charity shops will cover Retail. Providers should have been announced on 14th. Cannot see it going live in April

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  3. "You will have to give back to the Community in order to keep receiving your JSA"

    Remind them that this is just an admission that the jobs, even at NMW simply don't exist. Made up jobs at great cost aren't going to help the economy.

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  4. "You will have to give back to the Community in order to keep receiving your JSA"

    Give what back? Is he/she suggesting that you have stolen the money?

    Workfare criminalises the unemployed. Furthermore, if the unemployed have to RECONTRIBUTE to their JSA (if they have paid NI) this undermines the insurance principle of the NI scheme. This has serious implications for the future of NI, the NHS and the State Pension. It opens the door to the privatisation of NI.

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    1. So WORKING in poundland is giving back to the community!?

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  5. Once both sides walk away from the existing WCA contract, the DWP will start again, from the beginning. Penning has announced that he intends to issue a brand new invitation to tender. I think it is likely that the new contractor will be made to incorptate most of the changes recommended by Dr Litchfield, who has replaced Professor Harrington.

    The DWP will be keen to reduce the number of successful appeals against unreasonably harsh decisions by the DWP. I think this will result in larger numbers of people being found unfit for work etc. However, this would cause the overall “Welfare” bill to increase, too.

    No worries. On Weds 26 March 2014 Osborne secured Parliament’s agreement to permitting the Chancellor to “cap” the overall size of the “Welfare” bill for the whole 5 years of the next Parliament. During the very short debate, Osborne & Balls agreed, publicly, that their new “cap” will hit the people claiming Benefits because of their sickness/disability and it will also hit their Carers.

    According to the ideological claptrap, it is fair & reasonable that our ‘caring, compassionate society’ should not shield sick and/or disabled people or their carers from mistakes perpetrated by politicians.

    The debate is available on the BBC iPlayer for the next couple of days, under the title, “House of Commons 26 March.” IDS, sitting next to Osborne, smirked smugly throughout the debate but said nothing that might be recorded in Hansard.

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