Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

Having read this article on a BBC News website, i would like to raise a few questions;

The Department for Work and Pensions said additional evidence from GPs was not a requirement for an appeal.

The Department for Work and Pensions said additional evidence from GPs was not a requirement for an appeal.

A spokeswoman added: "Having the relevant medical evidence when someone applies for Employment and Support Allowance is vital to ensuring we are able to reach an informed decision on someone's capacity for work.

"If the DWP requires further medical evidence it will be requested by a healthcare professional working for Atos Healthcare, which GPs are required to complete as part of their terms of service.

"If a claimant appeals their ESA decision at an independent tribunal they can submit any extra evidence which they feel may help their appeal. But it is important to note that this is not a DWP requiremen,
"If the DWP requires further medical evidence it will be requested by a healthcare professional working for Atos Healthcare, which GPs are required to complete as part of their terms of service.

"If a claimant appeals their ESA decision at an independent tribunal they can submit any extra evidence which they feel may help their appeal. But it is important to note that this is not a DWP requirement.

1/ Three judges have just found the DWP are in breach of the EQUALITY LAW, in relation to people with mental problems not being able to submit medical evidence (because of their condition), at ESA examinations.
What help have you been giving to people with these problems to ensure a full medical history has been submitted prior to the ATOS examination?

2/ You state that additional evidence from a GP is not a requirement for an appeal,then completely counter this by stating "having the relevant medical is vital"
Explain this if you can?

3/ Is it true to consider that if the relevant medical information had been forthcoming in the first instance, many ESAs would not have taken place?

4/ You state that if the DWP requires further medical information it will be requested by an ATOS HCP.
Why would the HCP request it?

5/ If the information was requested by the DWP directly many cases would not make it to ESA. Why is this done?

6/ Have GPs been told by the DWP to suppress information on their clients health or put in a situation where they are pressurised to withhold?
To elucidate, i mean similar to them not issuing fit notes because you have instructed them that they are no longer necessary because the client has been found fit for work.

7/ You have stated that "if a claimant appeals an ESA decision at an independent tribunal they can submit extra evidence which they feel may help their appeal".
This statement is the very basis why three judges have felt you have breached Equality law.Why dont you make all evidence available?

8/ A number of bloggers in the Yorkshire area have had letters from their GPs explaining that they will not provide medical evidence if sought, furthermore it has been said it is up to the DWP to request this. Is this true?

9/ When the DWP request information from a patients GP there is a charge. What is the charge to the DWP?

10/ What is the charge to an ATOS HCP?

11/ The DWP say they have tripled the amount of help available to people with mental health problems undergoing ESA examinations.
Has this extra help ever been used to make sure all medical reports have been submitted?

12/ Has the DWP estimated the cost of returning the benefits they have stolen, to the rightful claimants whilst breaching the Equality Law?

13/ The DWP are set to appeal the decision of the recent Equality Law.
Will they pursue "retroactive law" to steal misappropriated money from the weakest and most vulnerable as they did before?

Yours faithfully, GEOFFREY REYNOLDS