Mandatory taping of Face to face interviews ?

[Deleted User]

Is it time for a campaign to make it mandatory for the ATOS or Capita to tape all face to face as it is grossly unfair that honest people tell the truth but there may be dishonest people make the submission to the DWP. There seems to be a reluctance on the DWP and the assessors to want this. I would have thought it would be good for both sides unless there is an ulterior motive for not doing it ?  The £700M Atos are getting should be sufficient to provide assessors who perform many in a day with forensic quality equipment. Cost prohibitive for claimants and at least 72 hours notice prior to the interview. All stacked against the claimant ?

mikehughescq

This has already been announced so no fight needed. However, people will find out the hard way that it won't make a jot of difference in the majority of cases because

1) Proving a HCP report inaccurate gives it less weight but does not get you PIP. The weight and credibility of your own evidence does that. 

2) Whilst the recordings will be compulsory. Transcription is not. So, unless you have something to play the recording on you're going to struggle to use it for a mandatory reconsideration or appeal unless you pay for independent transcription. That runs into hundreds of pounds potentially.  Transcribing it yourself leaves you open to accusations of bias. 

Yadnad

RobI said:

Is it time for a campaign to make it mandatory for the ATOS or Capita to tape all face to face as it is grossly unfair that honest people tell the truth but there may be dishonest people make the submission to the DWP. There seems to be a reluctance on the DWP and the assessors to want this. I would have thought it would be good for both sides unless there is an ulterior motive for not doing it ?  The £700M Atos are getting should be sufficient to provide assessors who perform many in a day with forensic quality equipment. Cost prohibitive for claimants and at least 72 hours notice prior to the interview. All stacked against the claimant ?

Whilst being in favour of recording to appease people (whether it will make any difference in outcome is something I doubt), it should be optional. To force someone who is shy, goes to the assessment alone and is an introvert to have to be recorded video/sound (as in a police interview room) is not fair.

Personally I would not like to be told that I would be forced (failure to co-operate will result in the claim being closed) to have to undergo such a system. Being recorded in this manner doesn't actually bother me - but I know it will bother many others.

Everybody should be given a choice.