Fewer sick and disabled people will qualify for disability benefits for being unable to work after a new test is introduced from next year.
Fewer sick and disabled people will qualify for disability benefits for being unable to work, after a new test is introduced from next year.
Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain says the changes will end what he calls "sick note Britain".
Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain says the changes will end what he calls "sick-note Britain".
But campaigners from the Disability Alliance say they have grave reservations about the consequences of bringing in a tougher test.
But campaigners from the Disability Alliance say they have grave reservations about the consequences of bringing in a tougher test.
The new disability test could cut the number of annual claimants by 20,000.
The new disability test could cut the number of annual claimants by 20,000.
The new work capability assessment, published for the first time on Tuesday, is being introduced alongside the employment support allowance - which will replace incapacity benefits for new claimants from next autumn.
The new work capability assessment is being introduced alongside the employment support allowance - which will replace incapacity benefits for new claimants from next autumn.
Mr Hain said the true cost of people claiming incapacity benefit in 2006-07 is £12.5 billion.
At the moment more than 60% of the people who apply for incapacity benefits are successful, but only 50% of people who take the new test are likely to pass it.
At the moment more than 60% of the people who apply for incapacity benefits are successful, but only 50% of people who take the new test are likely to pass it.
We want to help people, not punish people - this is about giving people opportunities Peter HainWork and Pensions Secretary
Those who fail will be expected to seek work.
Those who fail will be expected to seek work.
Mr Hain says the new system will place greater emphasis on what sick and disabled people can do rather than what they cannot.
Mr Hain says the new system will place greater emphasis on what sick and disabled people can do, rather than what they cannot.
Tests such as being able to walk more than 400 metres (437 yards) would be abolished.
"There are lots of jobs that people can do now which don't involve that kind of physical test, so we will be looking at what people could do," Mr Hain said.
Transform lives
"Could they operate a computer properly, use a mouse, operate a keyboard rather than have they got the physical stamina to do the old type of jobs that involve a great deal of physical hard work?"
Mr Hain told BBC News: "We want to help people, not punish people. This is about giving people opportunities because you are better off in work - the evidence shows that."
He said people who remained on benefits for long periods of time were more likely to become ill, as were their children.
"If we can provide the support, the training, the skills, the professional help, we can transform people's lives," he said.
But Neil Betteridge, head of the charity Arthritis Care, says he is worried the new test will not take enough account of people whose conditions change from day to day.
But Neil Betteridge, head of the charity Arthritis Care, says he is worried the new test will not take enough account of people whose conditions change from day to day.
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