The following is a letter I have written to send to my MP on the subject of government welfare assessments in the UK. I welcome any thoughts or constructive criticism that anyone has.
Re: Work Capability Assessment and Human Rights
I cite Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights in reference to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) which is conducted by Atos Healthcare on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP):
Article 8 – Right to Respect for Private and Family Life
1) Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.
2) There shall be no interference by a public authority with the exercise of this right except such as in accordance with the law and is necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security, public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
It is my opinion that the government's conduct in relation to the WCA is in excess of the duties described in section 2 and amounts to a violation of Article 8.
My first objection is that the WCA is carried out too frequently. From my own experience, I have attended 3 medical assessments since March 2009 and have read numerous accounts of claimants that have been reassessed shortly after winning appeals and, in some cases, before their appeals have even been heard.
My second objection is that the WCA is demeaning and intrusive. It is also a physically and mentally exhausting process that serves no purpose other than to rob sick and disabled people of their entitlements.
I realise that the government has a duty to protect public funds but believe that duty would be adequately discharged if the WCA was consistent with NHS standards and conducted once every 3 years with indefinite awards for claimants with long-term problems.
13 Oct 2011, 3:51 am
