DWP shakes up PIP under Labout with change to 'four' key roles
The Department for Work and Pensions has shaken up its Personal Independence Payment (PIP) process and changed four key roles. The DWP has handed new contracts to new companies for assessments, as concern grows over the coming findings from the green paper launched by the previous Conservative Party government.
Under the Labour Party government, changes have been made to assessments for people on disability benefit PIP. The government will give one provider a region, rather than several assessors. They have recruited several new companies who will take over the role.
In Scotland and North England the contract has been handed to Maximus UK Services Limited (currently Atos) while in the Midlands and Wales assessments have been granted to Capita Business Services (currently Capita), with Northern Ireland the same.
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In the South West England the assessments will now be carried out by Serco (currently Atos) and in the South East England, London and East Anglia by Ingeus UK Limited (currently Atos). All of the companies work in outsourcing, but not all are involved in medical care.
Capita recently launched an AI academy to help other businesses become literate in the technology. Al Murray, Chief Executive Officer of Capita Public Service, said: “We are proud of our work delivering PIP assessments on behalf of DWP. This extension is testament to our strong track record for delivery and longstanding relationship with our client.”
Michael Anghie, Group Chief Executive of APM Group, continued: “We look forward to partnering the Department for Works and Pensions to deliver these important Functional Assessments. APM is one of the leading health service providers in Australia delivering assessments across a wide range of sectors including Health, Disability and Aged Care.
"Health assessments in the United Kingdom is a key focus market for APM and the opportunity to deliver these services demonstrates the strength of our local service delivery team, our reputation for service excellence, and our ability to leverage APM’s expertise across regions and markets.
"The award continues the trend of APM executing its strategy and diversifying its business globally both in terms of geographically and strategic service offerings.”