Just one in six incapacity benefit claimants ‘is genuine’ as tough new test reveals TWO MILLION could be cheating

By
Kirsty Walker
Last updated at 8:01 AM on 14th October 2009

The scale of Britain’s sicknote culture was laid bare last night as it emerged that only one in six adults claiming incapacity benefit may be entitled to do so. Figures suggest that only around 400,000 men and women out of the 2.6million who claim the handouts are too sick too work. It means that more than two million could be receiving the 89-a-week benefit even though they are fit enough to find a job – a figure far higher than previously thought.
Target: An advert warning against benefit fraud highlights the problem. Figures suggests that only 400,000 incapacity claimants out of 2.6m are too sick to work
The official statistics are the first revealed by the Work Capability Assessment, a strict new test that decides whether claimants are fit to work. Of the 200,000 adults so far put up for assessment, it was found that more than a third of those on incapacity benefit were not entitled to claim it. A further 38 per cent stopped claiming the benefit halfway through their assessment. Eleven per cent were found to be able to undertake some workrelated activity but qualified for incapacity benefit, while just 5 per cent of people were too sick to work at all. A further 10 per cent of the 200,000 are still undergoing assessment.

The test, which was introduced by Labour two years ago, is being rolled out across the country next year. It forces claimants to undergo more stringent medical tests from a nurse or doctor. Under the previous system, they would only require a note from their GP. It is then decided whether someone is fit for work or should go on to Employment and Support Allowance – which replaced incapacity benefit last year. Those not too sick to work will be put on unemployment benefit of 64 a week and ordered to look for a job. Claimants who are found to be genuinely sick will be offered greater support. The number of people claiming incapacity benefit has soared from 67,000 when Labour came to power to 2.6million today.The handouts are estimated to cost the taxpayer 12.5billion a year. Critics claim the Government has deliberately pushed people on to incapacity benefit to reduce unemployment figures. Tory leader David Cameron has pledged to test everyone receiving the handout within the first three years of coming to power to see if they can return to work. The Conservatives predict that around 400,000 are incorrectly claiming the benefits. But the new figures suggest this is a massive underestimate. Tory work and pensions spokesman Theresa May said: ‘These figures show Labour’s ‘We know there are many people on incapacity benefits that want to work and today’s figures indicate that many could be fit for work.’ Mark Wallace, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘It is appalling that taxpayers have been paying benefits for so long to so many people who are in fact capable of work. ‘The freeloaders who took advantage, and the politicians who saw this as a convenient way to reduce unemployment figures, should be ashamed of themselves.’ Health Secretary Andy Burnham said: ‘We have a moral and economic obligation to help people who have suffered ill health to get back to work as soon as possible. ‘Unemployment and lost working days caused by ill health costs the economy 100billion a year and we know that being in work can be good for your wellbeing.’  

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oh please…who is the amazing person who announced this one. Who, in most areas of the country, does not know plenty of people on incapacity benefit who don’t have any problem getting to the pub for hours, wandering around town, going to football matches and doing work here and there…i know plenty and they are always persuading me i am the idiot for working…and i suspect they are right.
- sundastrait, salisbury, wiltshire, 14/10/2009 22:33

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So remember everyone. Dont fall ill. Don’t have a serious road accident to stop you working. Don’t have a mental breakdown. Oh yes, and don’t grow old. You may need to claim incapacity and find yourself stigmatised as a “sponger”.
That’s not to say there aren’t real spongers, but if that is used as a justification for a political move to abolish incapacity benefit - REMEMBER, IT’S AN UNCERTAIN WORLD AND IT COULD BE YOU WHO NEEDS TO CLAIM.
- Jonno, Cornwall Great Britain, 14/10/2009 22:26

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About time something was done to sort out this apalling mess!!!
- Keith, Kettering, 14/10/2009 22:26

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About time something was done to sort out this apalling mess!!!
- Keith, Kettering, 14/10/2009 22:26

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Being deemed ‘able’ to work and finding an employer who will actually set aside their prejudice and make the necessary adjustments to ALLOW a disabled person to work are two entirely different things. I know for a fact that many - particularly those with a good level of education - resent being forced to live on the poverty-level benefits provided by this Govt and would relish the opportunity to participate more fully.
The public sector tends to have the best record on this but then those who martyr themselves to being exploited by fat-cat corporations vocally resent accommodations such as home-based or flexible working.
It’s not just the office environment which is alienating to disabled people - many things related to the work ritual - ie negotiating public transport or finding appropriate clothing - can pose insurmountable challenges. I wish we had a party that was as willing to attack the greedy rich as they are to sell out the most vulnerable groups in society - yet again.
- Rich, Leeds, UK, 14/10/2009 22:22

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I cannot belive Doctors would sign off 2 million for no ill health reason
- peter cowman, workington england, 14/10/2009 22:12

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