PM wants to help those “parked on welfare” to get work

Chesterfield campaigners had been involved in nationwide protests in February highlighting the alleged failure of fit-for-work tests for sick and elderly benefit claimants by the Government appointed Atos Healthcare.

The protests, including one at Beetwell House, on Beetwell Street, Chesterfield, were held at locations used by Atos who carry out Work Capability Assessments for the Department for Work and Pensions.

Protestors complained about delayed and unfair assessments, as well as some claimants dying within weeks of being declared fit for work by Atos.

They also claimed that Atos had wrongly declared many people fit for work denying them disability benefits.

Last week, Mr Cameron, of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government, told the Derbyshire Times: “We’re looking for a new provider to take over from Atos.

“It’s important assessments are carried out well but we also have to look at the bigger picture.

“Hundreds of thousands of people are left on incapacity benefit when 64 per cent of claimants have been found able to look for work and have found work.

“And that is transforming lives, saving money and giving people a chance to work and develop their own lives.

“This is giving people a new chance for those parked on welfare and that’s better for the economy.”

For a full round up of the DT’s David Cameron interview including discussion on pensions, the teachers’ strike, HS2 and more see the Derbyshire Times newspaper on April 3.