The government is planning a major benefit shake up for millions of sick and disabled people in Britain.
Tory ministers are looking into changing the way fit-for-work tests happen as part of a change to the benefit system. It comes as ‘perverse’ fit-for-work tests could be ditched in their current form, as sources claim they make people “prove how incapable you are”
As a replacement, ministers are looking at a system that would let people keep claiming some sickness payments even if they return to work. But the plans are vague, not final and have previously worried campaigners, reported The Mirror.
READ MORE: Full list of eligible DWP benefits as dates for £900 cost of living payment confirmed
At the moment, sickness and disability payments in ESA or Universal Credit depend partly on people’s ”capability” to work. Under a planned shake-up, these benefits could instead be “tapered” away as people start earning, like other payments in Universal Credit. There could also be tax breaks for people who return to work, it is reported.
A Green Paper in 2021 suggested different payments could be combined into a “new single benefit” with “different priorities” to the current system. That sparked concern because PIP - Britain's main disability benefit - is paid regardless of people’s wealth. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has since insisted there are “no plans” to means-test PIP, which is claimed by 3m Brits.
A government source told the Times: "It's very much not the case that we'd be relaxing assessments so you could be perfectly fit and claiming. It will be more about being supported into work and supported to do the things you can do, rather than incentivised to prove how incapable you are".
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