'THREE in four people on sickness benefits are fit for work or drop their claim before facing strict new tests, shock figures (from the DWP) revealed yesterday.
Startling statistics showed that of the 2.6million people on incapacity benefit, a total of 1.9 million could work. A further 17 per cent were found to be able to work at some point with the right support. Nine out of 10 were capable of employment.' (Alison Little, Daily Express.)
The first paragraph is most revealing. As previously stated on this Blog, I have seen shedloads of young, healthy people trailing through The Magistrates' Courts System who, upon conviction, are revealed to be on sickness benefits.
True, not all conditions are visible so a percentage must be genuine but it is self evident that the vast majority cannot be.
Successive governments pushed the unemployed onto sickness benefits - doubling numbers under Major and Blair. Do we honestly believe after that, that the DWP figures can be too far off the mark?
By permitting this to happen, a disastrous system has also fuelled immigration. Had jobs in this nation snapped up by EU-dwellers been taken by those born here who have made a lifestyle choice not to work - where would the work have been for the millions of immigrants in recent years?
But what of the genuine? What of those wracked with bodily damage and Parkinson's Disease who now cannot get onto sickness benefits at all? What of the people who have fluctuating conditions? What of serious mental problems - just how are these to be measured? What about the wheat being pulled up with the tares?
Sorting out the dreadful mess is long overdue - but it is difficult to see how it can be done fairly.
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