CAMPAIGNERS took part in a protest this morning outside the Bradford branch of Maximus in the city centre, as the firm takes on the job of assessing whether people are eligible for sickness and disability benefits.

Maximus was appointed by the Government to carry out its controversial Work Capability Assessments, after ATOS announced last year it was pulling out of its contract early.

About half a dozen people were involved in the Bradford protest, with others taking place in Leeds, Sheffield and Hull, as part of more 30 demos expected to take place nationally.

Sean Dolat, who was involved in the Bradford protest, said disability campaigners believed the assessments would still be the same, and many of the same staff would be involved.

"This is the first day that Maximus have taken over the running of the work capability assessments, which were brought in in 2010 to see whether people are fit for work.

"We are trying to talk to as many people as possible to make them aware of what an effect these assessments can have on disabled people."

When the Government announced in October that Maximus was to take over the contract from ATOS, Secretary of State for work and pensions, Iain Duncan Smith said that Maximus staff would spend more time helping claimants earlier in the process so they know what to expect and can better prepare for the assessments.

He said: "I am confident Maximus Health and Human Services Ltd will bring about the changes required to improve claimants' experience of the assessment process."