Protesters to blockade work capability assessment centre in Edinburgh

Protesters in Edinburgh will attempt to blockade offices of the company undertaking work capability assessments (WCA) for people on benefits.

US-based company Maximus took over the assessments from French IT company Atos – but activists say they have little faith the new firm will implement a fairer regime.

Previous administration of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) by ATOS proved controversial. It was frequently accused of incompetence with assessors having no accredited medical training and the process by which they assess claimants repeatedly being described as “unfair” and “cruel”.

The WCA is the current test which determines if claimants are awarded disability benefit or employment and support allowance.

The only solution is to scrap the Work Capability Assessment completely

The day of action has been called by Disabled People Against the Cuts (Dpac), disability rights organisation Black Triangle, Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty (Ecap) and the Industrial Workers of the World.

Esther Macdonald of Ecap said: “These tests are completely inhumane. Private companies reap the profits while disabled people are suffering the cost.

"Under Atos, people were literally killing themselves because of how horrific it was. Now given all we know about Maximus, we expect no better from them.

"The only solution is to scrap the Work Capability Assessment completely.”

The protests are also backed by Unite the union.

Unite equalities national officer Siobhan Endean said: “Unite disabled members are sending a message to Maximus.

“The company should realise it has taken up a poisoned chalice and pull out of this contract.”

The protests will take place outside Maximus Assessment Centre in Argyle House on Lady Lawson Street from 1pm onwards on Monday (2 March).