A petition calling on the Government to make changes to the benefit system is gathering pace.

Richmond Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is demanding three changes are made to the system, which is said was not working for sick and vulnerable people.

The charity published an open letter asking for the support of MPs Zac Goldsmith and Vince Cable and this week launched a petition, which has so far attracted nearly 200 signatures.

The Richmond charity has also got the support of the national CAB.

Chief executive Gillian Guy said the bureau had handled its highest number of problems with Employment Support Allowance (ESA) in the first three months of this year.

She said: “We have long been calling for ATOS to be fined for every wrong report that they submit and a regular, independent monitoring process to make sure that reports are accurate.

“Lots of people entitled to (ESA) are being denied it unfairly.

“Work capability assessments are stressful experiences and going through the appeals process makes things even worse.

“Without the support of medical evidence, many people’s legitimate appeals against wrong decisions are significantly weakened, leaving them unable to get a fair outcome.”

To see the petition visit chn.ge/14mtLAp.