Skip to main content
‘Disgraceful’ PIP assessor OK for paramedic work

A disability benefits assessor has been found guilty of misconduct and sacked after he “disgracefully” disparaged applicants, but is still free to work as a paramedic.

Alan Barham was given a caution order, after being sacked by assessments privateer Capita, in a three-day hearing at the Health Care and Professions Tribunal Service on Wednesday.

He had been recorded by an undercover Channel 4 team making remarks about assessing personal independence payment (PIP) claims on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
universal credit
Universal credit / 25 November 2025
25 November 2025

DYLAN MURPHY reports that far from helping people back into work, the sanctions regime is inflicting unnecessary trauma on working-class families

Business Secretary Peter Kyle, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on stage ahead of Reeves's keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference at the Liverpool Arena, September 29, 2025
Labour Party Conference 2025 / 30 September 2025
30 September 2025

Labour will find increases in the state pension age are unacceptable, just as cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance, personal independence payments and universal credit are — it needs to change direction immediately, writes PCS general secretary FRAN HEATHCOTE

Naomi Osaka, of Japan, signals during a match against Greet Minnen, of Belgium, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, August 26, 2025, in New York
Women’s tennis / 29 August 2025
29 August 2025