CAMPAIGNERS have rallied in Huddersfield against a Paralympic Games sponsor.

Fifteen people gathered outside the job centre on Southgate yesterday morningto protest about Atos Healthcare.

The French company won a £110m Government contract to assess 2.6 million incapacity benefit and employment support allowance claimants to determine if they are able to work.

But campaigners claim Atos is unfairly targeting sick and disabled people.

Martin Jones, who organised yesterday’s protest in Huddersfield, said: “They are ruthlessly culling people. It’s absolutely disgraceful.

“The number of people who successfully appeal is incredibly high.”

The demonstration in Huddersfield was one of many across the UK in a day of action against Atos.

Protestors from Disabled People Against Cuts and UK Uncut gathered outside the company’s headquarters in Belfast, Glasgow, Cardiff and London yesterday.

The demonstrations came as a leading anti-Atos campaigner passed away.

Cancer sufferer Cecilia Burns died yesterday.

The 51-year-old from Strabane in Northern Ireland had her employment support allowance cut by £30 a week in February after Atos decided she was fit to work – even though she was still being treated for breast cancer at the time.

Atos is the main sponsor of the Paralympic Games, which are currently taking place in London.

Commenting on the demonstrations across the country, an Atos spokesman said yesterday: “We fully respect people’s right to peaceful protest and we understand this is a highly emotive issue.

“We do not make decisions on people’s benefit entitlement or on welfare policy but we will continue to make sure the service that we provide is as highly professional and compassionate as it can be.

“We do this through a constant programme of training and education for our staff, a rigorous recruitment process for healthcare professionals and through continual work with the government, disability rights groups, healthcare professionals and those going through the process on the ground.

“At Atos we have proudly supported the Paralympics movement for a decade. We hope people will view the games as we do, as an opportunity to celebrate sporting achievements.”

Meanwhile, Huddersfield trade unionists are organising opposition to cuts to a service for disabled people.

Campaigners will lobby councillors later this month to save Worklink.

The Kirklees Council service helps people with disabilities and long-term health problems find employment.

In June the council’s Labour Cabinet decided to cut Worklink’s funding by £350,000, with the loss of 15 of the 16 jobs.

Trade union Unison has collected 5,000 signatures to a petition against the cut to the Aspley-based service.

Campaigners will lobby the next full council meeting at Huddersfield Town Hall from 5pm on Wednesday, September 12.