The news comes after the French firm faced 144 separate protests outside its UK offices earlier this week
Benefits firm Atos wants to end its hated testing regime for the ConDem government - because it says the system "isn't working".
A nationwide campaign against the French firm's benefit tests have forced the company to seek an early exit from a £500m government contract.
Atos faced 144 separate protests outside its offices across the UK earlier this week in a day of action against the firm.
Large crowds waving anti-Atos placards flocked to protest against the company, whose assessments have controversially sent thousands of sick people back to work, axing their vital benefit payments.
In Southend, Atos workers themselves walked out in sympathy and joined the rally outside their own office.
Many Atos staff have received death threats both in person and over the internet as well as bullying at the firm’s centres.
Atos said 163 incidents of the public assaulting or abusing staff were recorded each month last year.
Now the firm has revealed it wants out of the government contract to test people for disability benefits.
The medical testing company has been in discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions with a view to exiting the deal since October last year, because it views the tests as "outdated".
An Atos spokesman said last night: "In its current form it is not working for claimants, for DWP or for Atos Healthcare.
"For several months now we have been endeavouring to agree an early exit from the contract, which is due to expire in August 2015."
Atos has become a lightning rod for discontent over the coalition's welfare reforms, which aim to shift more people off social security benefits and into work.
Read more...
A nationwide campaign against the French firm's benefit tests have forced the company to seek an early exit from a £500m government contract.
Atos faced 144 separate protests outside its offices across the UK earlier this week in a day of action against the firm.
Large crowds waving anti-Atos placards flocked to protest against the company, whose assessments have controversially sent thousands of sick people back to work, axing their vital benefit payments.
In Southend, Atos workers themselves walked out in sympathy and joined the rally outside their own office.
Many Atos staff have received death threats both in person and over the internet as well as bullying at the firm’s centres.
Atos said 163 incidents of the public assaulting or abusing staff were recorded each month last year.
Now the firm has revealed it wants out of the government contract to test people for disability benefits.
The medical testing company has been in discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions with a view to exiting the deal since October last year, because it views the tests as "outdated".
An Atos spokesman said last night: "In its current form it is not working for claimants, for DWP or for Atos Healthcare.
"For several months now we have been endeavouring to agree an early exit from the contract, which is due to expire in August 2015."
Atos has become a lightning rod for discontent over the coalition's welfare reforms, which aim to shift more people off social security benefits and into work.
Read more...
