Benefits Britain exposed
BENEFITS Britain was laid bare last night after official figures revealed that nine in 10 long-term sick pay claimants are well enough to work.
Two in three of those applying for incapacity benefit should be in day-to-day employment while tens of thousands more could undertake some form of work.
Fewer than 10 per cent of around 300,000 claimants were found unable to work at all. The findings reveal the culture of dependence created by Labour and suggest that more than two million of the 2.6 million currently claiming incapacity benefit should be at work – and are costing the taxpayer more than £11billion.
The problem is a massive drain on Britain with the total incapacity benefit bill adding up to some £12.5billion a year, despite repeated pledges by Labour to reduce the burden. Last night Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers will be very concerned that so many fit and well people have been receiving incapacity benefit on top of other generous allowances.
“The review is long overdue but essential. Incapacity benefit should be there for people who really need it and those who are able to should be helped back into work.
“There are definitely some people who take advantage of the system but there are plenty more who would like to work but have been trapped on benefits. This is a way to save huge amounts of money and help a lot of people to get their lives back.”
The figures show the outcome of “work capability assessment” tests on people who applied for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), which replaced Incapacity Benefit in 2008.
Of the 292,300 assessments carried out between October 2008 and December 2009, 68 per cent – 199,700 people – were rated “fit for work”. Rather than claiming the full benefit of £108.55 a week, they could be moved on to Jobseeker’s Allowance and receive £64.30 if aged over 25.
Another 64,800 people – 22 per cent – were told they had health problems but these were not serious enough to stop them working.
Only around 27,000 claimants were found to be incapable of working.
The figures from the Department for Work and Pensions also showed there were 360,000 further claims for ESA between October 2008 and the end of May last year. Of the 55 per cent which had been assessed, just five per cent were found suitable for full financial support.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Theresa May said: “These figures show how Labour has ignored the problem for so long. Labour have for too long abandoned these people.”
The Government aims to have every current disability benefit claimant tested under the tougher new assessment regime by 2013.
Jonathan Shaw, the Minister for Disabled People, said the Government was engaged in the “biggest shake-up of the benefits system in a generation”. He added: “It’s about looking at what people can do rather than what they can’t.
“From what I’m being told, the new scheme is a success. It’s getting people back to work who haven’t been employed in 15 years.
“The changes this Government has made since 1997 mean that people who are able to work no longer have the option of simply doing nothing but instead get the support they need to find jobs.”
