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Talking point: Tougher tests for incapacity benefit

By: KentOnline reporter multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 09:07, 27 October 2008

People claiming sick and disabled benefits will soon have to prove their incapacity by taking tough tests – but is it a good idea?

The Government intends to revamp the benefits system, which currently has 2.6million claimants, to curb the amount of people falsely collecting money when they are capable of working.

Under the new rules, new claimants will be tested by a health expert and assessed on what sort of jobs they are and aren’t able to do due to their illness.


What do you think? Will you be affected by the changes to the system? Do you think it will make a difference, or should things stay as they are? Send us your views via the 'Make a comment' button below.


Also, anyone claiming who is not terminally ill or severely disabled may have their benefits cut if they don’t attend interviews with job advisors.

However, the Government has pledged to give more support to people who are genuinely ill, and those with the severest disabilities will receive more money.

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Disability minister and MP for Chatham and Aylesford Jonathan Shaw said most of people on benefits don't want to be unemployed.

He said: "Nine out of 10 say they want to find a job, and what we’ve been doing over the last few years is instituting pathways back to work. I think you judge a society by how it helps people, particularly the disabled.

"This is a time of need for all of us, so we are going to support people in finding work experience and jobs."

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