According to freedom of information requests made by the Guardian, Capita are still making millions from persuading councils up and down the country to use their discredited lie detector software on benefit claimants. This is despite the fact that the system was originally developed by Israeli intelligence for use on terrorists, not people needing help with paying the rent. And it’s also despite the fact that even the DWP say the telephone-based voice risk analysis software isn’t reliable. Independent experts have even compared it to astrology. What it does do very reliably, however, is increase the impression that claimants should be treated like criminals . . . and make a mint for Capita, of course. Disturbing phone calls of a different kind have been reported by blogger and support group claimant Lisa Egan. She was called by her local Jobcentre to ask what her ‘aims’ were and quizzed about her former employment as a stand-up comedian. We’d like to know if other support group members have been contacted by their Jobcentre and asked about their employment prospects. Though employment, or the lack of it, may soon affect more than just your income and social standing. If Dame Carol Black has her way it will also affect your chances of getting treated in a reasonable timescale by your local hospital. Dame Black, inventor of the ‘fit note’ wants to start a national debate about whether the NHS should prioritise treatment for sick workers over those who don’t have a job. In other words, if you’re unemployed there’s less point in giving you prompt medical treatment if there are economically active people also waiting for help. Astonishingly, the chief medical officer at the DWP appears to agree that this is an issue that needs to be discussed
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 16:25:49 +0000
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