Some of the latest points to consider are-
· New claimants- less are failing the test- down from 69% to 55%.
· New claimants- of those who pass more are going in the support group– up from around 33% to 56%.
· There is currently a call for evidence(until 7/9/2012) for the 3rd Harrington report which looks into the medical test each year. Have your say,particularly those of you who have clients with learning disabilities or mental health conditions(you tell us at our courses that these client groups are among those most adversely affected).
· The Public Law Project has helped 2 people with mental health conditions gain leave to appeal at the High Court about the operation of the medical tests. ‘The Equality Act 2010 requires the DWP to make reasonable adjustments to avoid such disadvantage. The reasonable adjustment to the process that the claimants seek is for medical evidence to be sought by the Atos HCP and the DWP at the very outset of the claim.’