Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
The Department for Work and Pensions has claimed that 200,000 people receiving health and disability benefits are ready to work immediately if the right job or support were available.
However, charities and campaigners warn that cutting benefits could push disabled people into poverty rather than into employment.
The findings, based on a government survey released on Thursday, indicate that 32% of those claiming health and disability benefits believe they could work now or in the future. Of these, 5% - around 200,000 people - said they would be ready now if the right support were in place.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said that the figures were evidence of a broken benefits system. She said, “People claiming health and disability benefits have been classed by the system as ‘can’t work’ and shut out of jobs and have been ignored - when they’ve been crying out for support. It’s bad for people, bad for businesses, which miss …
