2nd July 2013
Dear Dr Hale,
Freedom of Information Act – Request for Information
Our Reference: FOI 2784
Thank you for your Freedom of Information request received on 18th June 2013. You asked:
1. Total DWP direct cost for all assessments re: eligibility for Employment Support
Allowance in the UK since the election of the new Government in May 2010 for the period
up to which the statistics have been compiled, e.g. payments to medical provider such as
ATOS.
2. Total DWP indirect cost for all assessments re: eligibility for Employment Support
Allowance in the UK since the election of the new Government in May 2010 for the period
up to which the statistics have been compiled. Administration costs relating to assessments,
such as related DWP costs of communication with ATOS and claimant, and processing
assessments, outcomes and benefit changes where applicable.
3. Total DWP direct cost for all appeals re: eligibility for Employment Support Allowance in
the UK since the election of the new Government in May 2010 for the period up to which the
statistics have been compiled, e.g. payments for tribunals and/or for DWP representation at
tribunals.
4. Total DWP indirect cost for all appeals re: eligibility for Employment Support Allowance in
the UK since the election of the new Government in May 2010 for the period up to which the
statistics have been compiled. Administration costs relating to appeals, such as related
DWP costs of communication with tribunal and claimant, and processing assessments,
outcomes and benefit changes where applicable.
Data is not available prior to 2011/12.
1. The direct cost for all assessments for eligibility for Employment Support Allowance in
the UK was:
DWP Finance and Commercial
Our address Ground Floor
Quarry House
Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7UA
• Approximately £62.1m in 2011/12
• Approximately £77.1m in 2012/13.
With regards your question about payments to medical provider such as Atos:
The Department for Work and Pensions re-awarded Atos Origin IT Services Ltd, trading
as Atos Healthcare, a new Contract to provide Medical Services on behalf of the
Department from 1 September 2005. The total cost of these services amounts to
approximately £100 million per annum. This figure not only covers the total number of
assessments undertaken across all benefits, but also costs relating to written and verbal
medical advice, fixed overheads, administrative costs, investment in new technology
and other service improvements.
I can further confirm that there is not a fixed minimum fee for the provision of
assessments. As the number of assessments required by the Department increases or
decreases then the payment made to Atos Healthcare for these varies accordingly.
2. The indirect cost for all assessments for eligibility for Employment Support Allowance in
the UK was:
• Approximately £40.1m in 2011/12
• Approximately £102.4m in 2012/13.
3. The direct cost for all appeals is not available to DWP. DWP are responsible for the
preparation of appeal submissions with Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services
(HMCTS) responsible for the scheduling and hearing of appeals. You may find further
information on tribunal appeals on the following website;
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/court-statistics-quarterly--2
4. The indirect cost for all appeals re: eligibility for Employment Support Allowance in the
UK was:
• Approximately £16.5m in 2011/12
• Approximately £19.6m in 2012/13.
The data provided is staff and non staff costs from the DWP Operations Activity Based
Models 11/12 and 12/13.
If you have any queries about this letter please contact us quoting the reference number
above.
Yours sincerely
Communications Team
Finance and Commercial
E mail: quarryhouse.oppmpq-foi@dwp.gsi.gov.uk
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing freedom-ofinformation-
request@dwp.gsi.gov.uk or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, Caxton House, 6-12 Tothill
Street, London. SW1H 9NA. Any review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this
letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information
Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have
exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The
Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF
www.ico.gov.uk
