Disability protest held at Cardiff bank

  • Wales
Some protesters remained in the bank, while others congregated outside Credit: Viewer's picture/Jamie Insole

A protest has been held in Cardiff against links between the Cooperative Bank and the company that carries out Work Capability Tests for the Department of Work and Pensions.

Disabled people seeking to qualify for the Incapacity Benefit in the UK are currently assessed by the international company ATOS Healthcare.

The protesters claim the 'fit-to-work' assessments are "damaging and distressing" to those undergoing them.

Last month, ATOS told ITV Wales the Work Capability Assessments it carried out were 'in line with the policy and guidelines laid down by the UK Government.'

The Department for Work and Pensions first awarded Atos the contract for assessments in 1998.

This was renewed for seven years in 2005 and extended for three years in 2010 through to 2015.