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Tougher work tests for disabled 'Tougher' work tests for disabled
(about 4 hours later)
Fewer sick and disabled people will qualify for disability benefits for being unable to work, after a new test is introduced from next year. New incapacity benefit tests are to be introduced which ministers say will mean fewer sick and disabled people qualify for being unable to work.
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, introduced next year, will end "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.
We want to help people, not punish people - this is about giving people opportunities Peter HainWork and Pensions Secretary This is not about helping people get back into work - this is about stopping people getting benefits. Danny AlexanderLib Dem Work and Pensions spokesman
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, which will cover the entire UK, 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.
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.
HAVE YOUR SAY If we remove the fakes we can enhance the payment to those truly deserving Paul, Aberdeen Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY If we remove the fakes we can enhance the payment to those truly deserving Paul, Aberdeen Send us your comments
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 People seeking to claim disability benefits will be assessed according to various criteria such as their manual dexterity, speech, vision and hearing, as well as their ability to cope under pressure and interact with other people.
Government 'spin'?
"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. Danny Alexander, Liberal Affairs spokesman on work and pensions, accused the government of "spinning" the issue to compensate for its failure to create policies which successfully return disabled people to work.
Correct 'pace' He said: "There are millions of disabled people in this country who want to work, who would be able to work, if they were able to get the sort of personalised, detailed help that they need to help them manage their medical condition.
"If we can provide the support, the training, the skills, the professional help, we can transform people's lives," he said. 'Missing targets'
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. "This is not about helping people get back into work. This is about stopping people getting benefits. That is an entirely different part of the equation."
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. The Conservatives were also critical of the announcement by Mr Hain's department.
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. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Chris Grayling said: "This is at least the fifth time the government has made this announcement, but the reality is that it is completely missing its targets on incapacity benefit.
"It is in everybody's interests that things move at the right pace for the individual." "At the current rate of progress it will take them 25 years longer than planned to reach their target of getting one million off incapacity benefit."
Disability groups have expressed concern about the new tests.
Neil Betteridge, head of the charity Arthritis Care, expressed concern that 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 there was a danger that those forced to return to work prematurely would see their health deteriorate, meaning that "their chances of working actually diminishes".
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.
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