ATOS, the controversial organisation who have been responsible for carrying out the Work Capability Assessment, have come under fire from disabled people’s organisations up and down the country for presenting misleading information in their tendering documents. ATOS claim to have been working in partnership with leading Disabled People’s organisations in designing their services when tendering their bid for the Personal Independent Payment Assessment Service contract.
Brian Hilton, Chair of The Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People Executive Council has issued a statement regarding the matter:
‘It has been drawn to our attention that Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People has been mentioned on page 27 of the ATOS tender document (for the Personal Independence Payment Assessment Service contract) that they would work in partnership with Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People to design their training for staff and communication products for clients.
Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People would like to state that we have no contract with ATOS regarding this, and would not work in partnership with ATOS at any level.’
Brian Hilton – Chair, on behalf of the Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People Executive Council
In the Guardian newspaper, GMCDP Exec member and spokesperson Richard Currie was asked for a response.
‘Richard Currie, said the suggestion of any future co-operation was "preposterous". He said the group had found out about the organisation's proposed involvement only when contacted by a journalist for the Disability News Service. The group was "absolutely outraged" by ATOS's attempt to "gain credibility in the sector … trying to’ curry favour by putting our organisation's name on this contract," he said. "It does damage to our brand to be associated with them."
(source: The Guardian 1.11.12)
ATOS have been widely criticized for their poor handling of the Work Capabilty Assessment for the Department for Work and Pensions, which have been condemned for their numerous inaccuracies, insensitive handling and misrepresentations.
Anne McGuire, shadow minister for disabled people has called for an investigation into tendering process by external auditors.