75% of those applying for new benefits found ‘fit for work’

The national figures, for people applying for the employment and support allowance (ESA) programme, between October 27th 2008 and February this year, have been released after Burnley was selected to pilot a scheme to retest people on old-style incapacity benefits.

The re-assessment process began in Burnley and Aberdeen last month and rolls out across the country next year.

Currently 6,410 people in Burnley are on incapacity benefit – 11.8% of the population. The national figure is 6.7% and 8.8% for the North-West.

There are also 1,380 lone parents on income support and 2,365 claimants of jobseeker’s allowance, which equates to 4.4% of the town’s population.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “With more than two million people trapped on incapacity benefits, these figures underline how important it is that we make sure everyone who has the potential to work gets the right help to move off benefits and into a job.

“However, I am determined that we get the medical assessment right, which is why Prof. Malcolm Harrington is undertaking an independent review in consultation with a number of charities representing disabled people and those with mental health issues.

“I am more than happy to take on board any serious suggestions for changing the assessment as I want it to be as near to perfect as we can be.

“This is not about pushing the sick and disabled into jobs but giving those that can work the help to do so and those that can’t more, not less, support.”