DWP is wasting your money on bid to block publication of fit-for-work documents

The Department for Work and Pensions office in London.

The Department for Work and Pensions is wasting our money again:

Documents relating to the government’s controversial fit-for-work tests could be blocked from publication after the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) launched a legal challenge.

In April, John Slater submitted a Freedom of Information request (FOI) asking for details of the ‘outcome reports’ which are completed by the private company contracted to carry out the tests. The reports would include information about the number of people with a terminal illness or limited capability to work subjected to the test.

The DWP initially said it did not hold the information but later argued that releasing it could damage the company’s commercial interests.

Since 2015, Work Capability Assessments (the official name for the tests) have been carried out by the Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA), a subsidiary of the company Maximus.

The outcome reports are produced every month by the CHDA and detail the outcomes of the tests from each assessment centre.

The Information Commissioner’s Office ruled that the DWP must publish the documents but the department has appealed that decision, meaning the case will now be heard at the First Tier tribunal.

(Source: DWP fights to block publication of fit-for-work documents – Westminster )

Firstly, this means DWP officers lied to the public – they claimed they did not hold information that had been requested when in fact they did.

Secondly, any company carrying out work for the government should expect to have that work reviewed by members of the public, at the convenience of those people. Labour intended to make that right explicit in law after previous attempts by the DWP to hide behind commercial confidentiality.

Finally, this demonstrates that the Department for Work and Pensions is beyond salvation. It is riddled with corruption and the only option, when a sensible government is returned to office, will be to break it up, sack the worst offenders in its ranks, and restore the Department of Social Security and the Department of Employment as separate entities.


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No Comments

  1. Christine Cullen August 8, 2017 at 10:20 am - Reply

    There seems to be no end to the corruption that has, and probably still is going on under the Tories. The fact that they can’t tell the truth without court action is very telling.

  2. leonc1963 August 8, 2017 at 10:51 am - Reply

    ‘Finally, this demonstrates that the Department for Work and Pensions is beyond salvation. It is riddled with corruption and the only option, when a sensible government is returned to office, will be to break it up, sack the worst offenders in its ranks, and restore the Department of Social Security and the Department of Employment as separate entities.’

    Agree 110% it simply cannot carry on as is, it needs a wide ranging investigation too whilst it is separated and charges brought for those in senior positions so that what we have long been telling the public is exposed and we are vindicated.

  3. thelovelywibblywobblyoldlady August 8, 2017 at 11:05 am - Reply

    Well well. What does this remind you of Mike? Also the whole issue of commercial confidentiality was thrown out in relation to DWP attempt to maintain secrecy over its use of private and public sector work fare schemes following the FOI request made by Frank Zola https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dwp-forced-reveal-vast-list-8522078.amp#ampshare=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dwp-forced-reveal-vast-list-8522078

    • Mike Sivier August 8, 2017 at 11:15 am - Reply

      Exactly. But this is a different case so they go through the whole rigmarole all over again, purely to waste everybody’s time.

      • thelovelywibblywobblyoldlady August 8, 2017 at 12:09 pm - Reply

        Yes Mike and waste taxpayers money. The ministers responsible for the decision to appeal should be made to pay the court costs out of their own pickets!

  4. Brian August 8, 2017 at 11:43 am - Reply

    I would suspect many DWP officers are currently listing themselves as ‘available’.

  5. Dez August 8, 2017 at 11:49 am - Reply

    This attitude by the Government, and especially the DWP, does confirm that the ruling elite of these departments are in fact politically biased towards the Conservatives attacking stance in all things benefits. It is a given that the heads of these departments will be implanted Cons however to many below the ruling elite are also bound to be as biased by their masters. The fact they are wasting our taxpayers money defending their positions in Courts should not be allowed or at least be overviewed by taxpaying auditors as a necessary cost not to cover some whim of a wayward Con conspirator.

  6. Barry Davies August 8, 2017 at 3:13 pm - Reply

    How can they use the commercial confidentiality argument for a company working under contract to the government? This seems rather strange to me, as government bodies themselves can not use it.

  7. Jeffrey Davies August 8, 2017 at 5:52 pm - Reply

    more hiding away action t4 at its best

  8. Lewis August 9, 2017 at 6:41 am - Reply

    When I was requested by ATOS to attend an interview in Manchester it did not go well.
    By the time it was concluded I had accused the quack of negligence in being unaware of basic facts as to my Diabetic condition- which meant I was physically unable to participate in the ‘test’ as I suffered from two frozen shoulders and within the prievious month had undergone an arthroscopy on my knee so it was painful and It certainly was not going to be acceptable for the hammer test!
    The quack evidently had not been challenged prieviously and became overtly hostile especially when I pointed out the disparity of circumstance – he was being paid £150 every 30 minutes working from 8-5 or £2700 a day whereas my DWP allowance was £59.00 per week
    I refuted his script -which started off- How did you arrive at the centre- As there is no parking within half a mile therefore you had to walk and by insinuation you are fit and able- ignoring the fact that it took me 20 minutes to cover the distance.
    I walked away knowing my benefit had been revoked, after exposing the interview as a sham, and specifically exposing the process as distorted and prejudicial against the candidate therefore it was no surprise when I received the report card via my mp that I had been awarded 0 points and was deemed fit for work. This despite having submitted 3 consultants reports to the contrary – life goes on but a salutary reminder of the disgraceful programme of welfare attrition the Tories have submitted the medically vulnerable to a life of fear and anxiety whereas the Weldare state was set up to protect the most needy in society.

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