Atos has either not bid for, or has failed to win, a single contract for the new combined PIP and work capability (WCA) assessment service, with just one of five regions left to be announced. Both Maximus and Ingeus have taken regions currently held by Atos.
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.
Capita have managed to hold onto their current PIP regions: the Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland
However, in South East England, London and East Anglia Atos are losing their contacts to the multinational welfare to work giant Ingeus.
Atos will also be replaced in the North of England and Scotland, this time by Maximus who currently only carry out WCAs. The new contract in Scotland will primarily cover WCAs, as PIP is being replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
The south west of England is currently covered by Atos for PIP assessments and the winner of the new contract has yet to be announced.
The full details of the lots awarded are:
Lot 1 North England and Scotland: Maximus UK Services Limited (currently Atos)
Lot 2 Midlands and Wales: Capita Business Services (currently Capita)
Lot 4 South East England, London and East Anglia: Ingeus UK Limited (currently ATOS)
Lot 5 Northern Ireland: Capita Business Services Limited (currently Capita)
You can read the full commons statement on the new contracts here.
