training

How can ATOS get involved in training/placements for the sick and disabled when they are involved in assessing those people (and arguably usually the main reason they are classified as fit/unfit for work in the first place).

Surely this is a massive conflict of interests, opening doors for accusations of bias, conflict of interests etc.

I fail to see how this could even be considered, never mind allowed.

Communication is still failing when funding has to be returned to Europe as it goes unclaimed by Merseyside business.
Surely in today's economic climate, every little helps, and if this funding can assist business to be more sustainable, then this will increase job creation and opportunities longer term.
If you know a business that is Merseyside based, sole trader to SME, maximum £40 million turnover, and could use some matched funding, up to £5k per person, for training purposes, then PLEASE cascade this discussion to them.

I'm hoping somebody with some in depth knowledge of Flexible New Deal can help me out with a few queries I have around FND and double funding.

We run a variety of government-funded training contracts in a couple of regions that improve the skills of Jobcentre Plus customers. The contracts we run include the LSC Employability Skills Programme (Basic Skills), ESOL, learndirect, etc.