2005

US insurance giant UnumProvident says it is driving government policy on Incapacity Benefit reform.

What: UnumProvident says it is driving government policy in a document was written by Michael O’Donnell (then the company’s chief medical officer), who later moved to the same role at Atos Healthcare (which would carry out work capability assessments (WCAs) on behalf of the government).

Why significant: UnumProvident were set to huge profits from incapacity benefit reform – as the largest provider of “income protection insurance” (IPI) in the UK, and tougher welfare rules – including replacing incapacity benefit with employment and support allowance – were likely to persuade more people to take out IPI.