The Independence of the Atos IT

The request was successful.

Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

There is divided opinion over the genuine independence of the Atos so-called "Independent Tier"

Q1: Does DWP accept that for the Atos IT to have any credibility and for it to perform effectively it must be genuinely independent in all respects of the two sides over which it is adjudicating – Atos and the claimant?

Q2: Does DWP believe that the current arrangements for the Atos IT would pass any reasonable test of independence performed by a suitably qualified professional e.g. a lawyer?

Yours faithfully,

J Newman

DWP Adelphi Freedom-of-Information-Request, Department for Work and Pensions

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DWP Adelphi Freedom-of-Information-Request, Department for Work and Pensions

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Dear J Newman

Please see attached response to your FoI request 38

Kind regards

DWP Central FoI Team

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Dear Department for Work and Pensions,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Department for Work and Pensions's handling of my FOI request 'The Independence of the Atos IT'.

These questions relate to DWP policy and so the information they relate to must be documented or implicit within the Government’s general remit, codes of conduct etc.

You have again described the Atos IT as independent of Atos although Atos selects it and pays for it. Can you also please tell me which definition of the word you are using as it is clearly not the one in day to day use?

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address:
http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/th...

Yours faithfully,

J Newman

DWP Adelphi Freedom-of-Information-Request, Department for Work and Pensions

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been received at the DWP Central FoI Team.

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Department who will respond to you direct. 

Should you also have any further queries in connection with this request
do please contact us.

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[1]http://www.dwp.gov.uk/freedom-of-informa...

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DWP Adelphi Freedom-of-Information-Request, Department for Work and Pensions

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Dear Mr Newman,

Please see attached response to your Internal Review request.

Kind regards,

DWP Central FoI Team

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Dear DWP Adelphi Freedom-of-Information-Request,

Thank you. I would just point out that the source you have quoted also defines it as: “Not relying on others for support, care, or funds; self-supporting”, which clearly the IT is not – it is paid by Atos. You have therefore successfully proved the point that it is not independent.

I don't know why you did not just accepot this in the first place.

Yours sincerely,

J Newman

DWP Adelphi Freedom-of-Information-Request, Department for Work and Pensions

This is an automated confirmation that your request for information has
been received at the DWP Central FoI Team.

We will forward your request to the relevant information owner within the
Department who will respond to you direct. 

Should you also have any further queries in connection with this request
do please contact us.

For further information on the Freedom of Information Act within DWP
please click on the link below.

[1]http://www.dwp.gov.uk/freedom-of-informa...

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References

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