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 Department for Work and Pensions estimates that about 2.64 million people currently claim incapacity benefits.
The Department for Work and Pensions estimates that about 2.64 million people currently claim incapacity benefits.
The new work capability assessment 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.
Mr Hain said the true cost of people claiming incapacity benefit in 2006-07 is £12.5 billion.
We want to help people, not punish people - this is about giving people opportunities Peter HainWork and Pensions Secretary
We want to help people, not punish people - this is about giving people opportunities Peter HainWork and Pensions Secretary
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.
Those who fail will be expected to seek work.
Those who fail will be expected to seek work.
It is estimated that some 250,000 people claim £600m in benefits for stress-related illness, while the 2,000 who are too obese to work claim £4.4m.
It is estimated that some 250,000 people claim £600m in benefits for stress-related illness, while the 2,000 who are too obese to work claim £4.4m.
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) or being able to climb 12 steps without the aid of a banister would be abolished.
Tests such as being able to walk more than 400 metres (437 yards) or being able to climb 12 steps without the aid of a banister would be abolished.
The new test will look at other skills, such as a person's ability to use a computer keyboard or a mouse, because this type of task is likely to be needed in the workplace.
The new test will look at other skills, such as a person's ability to use a computer keyboard or a mouse, because this type of task is likely to be needed in the workplace.
Transform lives
Transform lives
"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.
"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.
"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?"
"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."
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.
He said people who remained on benefits for long periods of time were more likely to become ill, as were their children.
Correct 'pace'
"If we can provide the support, the training, the skills, the professional help, we can transform people's lives," he said.
"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.
And Sophie Corlett, policy director at mental health charity Mind, said it was important that people who were unwell were not rushed back to the workplace prematurely.
She said: "If you move at the wrong pace the expectation in most cases would be that the person's health will actually deteriorate and their chances of working actually diminishes.
"It is in everybody's interests that things move at the right pace for the individual."
Have you been affected by this story? Are you on incapacity benefits? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you on incapacity benefits? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
