The Tories And Atos

[DrFilth]

mp asks for cruel monster atos to axed
WARNING THIS LINK GOES TO AN AUDIO SOURCE, for those of you at work...
http://www.aol.co.uk/article/2013/10/16/pm-challenged-over-cruel-monster-atos/20746990/?ncid=webmail19&_sns_authCheck=1

[emmie]

i understand - my case worker was shocked at the assessment and the outcome, we have had to fight this all the way and it's not over even now.

[DrFilth]

emmie i was kicked of ages back , my atos specialist delt with circulation disorders and she did not even know what naftidrofuryl oxalate tablets were for.

even my doctor laughed at that -)

[emmie]

my doctor and other mental health workers have been rather surprised at the treatment, and not just for me, but any number of their clients. turned down, cursory exam, often by a nurse, one who works in medicine not remotely part and parcel of mental health, its a tick box exercise, and believe me it's a very very flawed system

[Theland]

I hope those who applaud the system, never have to suffer at its hands.
This is the result of a callous government, dividing the nation between the haves and have nots. Typical Tory philosophy, stinks of the blue rinse brigade.

[emmie]

this was the start of all the changes, 2007, who was in power then?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare_Reform_Act_2007

[DrFilth]

Theland what you should hope for is that they do for a few months then they can have their health back that way they see first hand what happens

another factory is shuting down this week in south manchester and i wonder if those with a big gob are still gobby when they see that they can't claim anything

[emmie]

Gordon Brown. and before that Tony Blair, please don't lump it all on the Tories, and i doubt it will be changed even if Labour get back in...

[DrFilth]

emmie it has changed since then

[LazyGun]

And these incapacity assessments were not rigorously enforced, the contract awarded to ATOS, and the definitions of what constitutes disability "refined" until the Coalition Government and the passage of the Welfare Reform Act 2012.

And its unremarkable that the notion that those claiming disability living allowance or whatever label they wish to attach to it are assessed as to the extent of their disability. The key here is whether they are being assessed sympathetically, on medical merit, or whether political considerations of reducing the overall payments take precedence.

As to whether it would change should Labour become the Government in 2015, you might well be right, unfortunately. It is often easy to criticize in opposition, more difficult to implement changes when you are in power. I have not seen what Labour policy might be on these assessments or ATOS involvement as yet

[emmie]

what has changed DF, i am aware that ATOS have been around quite a while, the rules have been tightened up, but the testing certainly leaves much to be desired. I think they are a money making business and that getting people back to work is secondary

[emmie]

if they get in will they keep these promises

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/21/labour-disability-hate-crime-atos

[LazyGun]

@emmie who can say in advance? If they get in ,see what they do and judge them on their performance. At least in that statement there is a recognition there that the current assessment system by ATOS is not working - I have seen no comments like that from either Lib Dems or Tories.

[emmie]

my link says they will if you read it,

this is quite strong, and some of the cases highlight the many faces, and indeed horror stories of the process.

http://mikesivier.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/mps-tell-their-own-atos-horror-stories/

[Theland]

Anybody remember Michael Portillo on tv trying to live on benefits?
All who try it shuffle away mumbling, but then it remains a fact that the Tories are callous and want the poverty stricken to live on even less.

[emmie]

you may be right, but there are lots of people and some on AB who say that benefits are too freely available and that something should be done to cut the welfare bill >

[Theland]

Cutting the welfare bill would be best achieved by BORROWING, to invest in jobs and reduce the JSA bill.

[emmie]

doesn't borrowing shove up inflation? and we are already heavily in debt.

[Theland]

Reducing the amount of increase in benefit rates to just one percent is just mean spirited, and punishes people for being in poverty.

[emmie]

what will job seekers live on if it's cut? or reduced.

[DrFilth]

emmie read this and it will answer your question about changes

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jul/31/atos-fitness-work-test-greg-wood