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A SERIOUSLY ill gran was deemed fit for work by Atos – weeks before she was due to retire.

Christine Traynor, 61, quit her job as a cleaner last year because of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which leaves her struggling to breathe.

Atos assessed her in Glasgow on November 20 and declared her fit for work, and the Department for Work and Pensions then stopped her benefits. They told her on January 8 to get a job.

Christine, of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, appealed and learned on January 22 that she had won, but her benefits have yet to be returned. She retires in March.

She said: “It’s been a nightmare few weeks. I felt Atos were trying to make out I was telling lies.

“Who would give a job for six weeks to a person that can hardly breathe? Atos treat people with contempt. I’ve followed the coverage in the Record and it has made me really angry."

The DWP insisted the work capability assessment process was fair and said it was better to help people work, “with the right support”, than to “write them off” on benefits.

Atos declined to comment.

Protesters claim firm are contract killers

ANGRY protesters outside Atos offices in Glasgow yesterday branded the firm “contract killers”.

(Image: Paul Chappells)

About 50 people joined the demo, part of a national day of action against the French firm who carry out work capability assessments for the Con-Dems. Campaigner Sandra McFadden said Atos had been “hired to get as many people as possible off benefits”.

She added: “They turn many people away and as a result I feel Atos are contract killers.”

Similar protests were held in Edinburgh and cities in England.