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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Tougher work tests for disabled | Tougher work tests for disabled |
| (10 minutes 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. | |
| 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 new work capability assessment, published for the first time on Tuesday, is being introduced alongside the employment support allowance - which will replace incapacity benefits for new claimants from next autumn. | The new work capability assessment, published for the first time on Tuesday, is being introduced alongside the employment support allowance - which will replace incapacity benefits for new claimants from next autumn. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |