DWP fit-to-work assessments cost more money than they save

[Michael Browne]

The Government is spending more money assessing whether people are fit to work than it is saving in reductions to the benefits bill, a damning official report has revealed

 

The study by the National Audit Office (NAO) found that the Department for Work and Pensions is handing over £1.6bn over the next three years to private contractors who carry out the controversial health and disability assessments.

 

But at the same time, the Government’s own financial watchdog has warned that savings in benefits payments are likely to be less than a billion pounds by 2020 as a result of the new tests.

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/dwp-fit-to-work-assessments-cost-more-than-they-save-report-reveals-a6801636.html

[Nystagmite]

Anyone else not surprised?

[jason2723637]

not surprised at all (more about control rather then money/massaging figures) oh and lest not forget the ATOS WCA is not fit for purpose

[antone]

Indeed, it's not about money. If ESA and JSA were both abolished completely it would make very little difference to the welfare budget, the vast bulk of which goes to pensions and Housing Benefit.

[give them FA]

Yes, but they are handing out taxpayers' money to their friends (and contributors to Party funds?) that is what being Tory is all about.

[Unforgiven]

Maybe what this is about?

 

....................... a White Paper, expected before the Budget in mid-March, is expected to provide for the abolition of the WCA with a new test to be introduced in its place ............

 

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/forums/viewthread/9314/

[hessey50]

The fight not to show the mortality figures for those declared well enough to work who in a fit of clear petulance died just to prove the skilled assessors wrong says it all. The gov and its toady media trot out the few cases of people living a high lifestyle when claiming caught when surfing etc as the norm and push the image of welfare claimants as all scroungers when the bulk of claimants are pensioners and people working for the govs friends at such low wages they have to have their wages topped up. I was wondering if this top up could be regarded by the EU as an unlawful subsidy to UK firms?