The final combined PIP and work capability (WCA) assessment service contract has been awarded to Serco, the DWP announced this week, meaning that Atos have failed to win a single region and will cease to carry out assessments from September 2024 onwards.
The Functional Assessment Services contracts are replacing both PIP contracts and contracts to carry out WCAs for employment and support allowance (ESA) and universal credit (UC). The intention is that the same company will carry out both types of assessment in any given area, until such a time as the WCA is axed completely.
At the moment, WCAs are administered by Maximus and PIP assessments by Atos (known as IAS) and Capita, with Atos having the larger share of the PIP contracts.
However, that is all set to change from 2024, with the new contracts running until 2029.
Back in May, we reported that four of the five contracts had now been awarded, with just the South West of England left undecided. This was because Atos were allegedly mounting a legal challenge to the decision to award the region to Serco.
But the DWP have now confirmed that Serco have been successful, leaving Atos entirely out in the cold.
From September 2024, if you have WCA or PIP assessment, it will be carried out by the following company:
North England and Scotland: Maximus UK Services Limited (currently Atos)
Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)
South West England: Serco (currently Atos)
South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (currently ATOS)
Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)
