Sicknote crackdown will hit 30,000 in Hampshire (From This is Hampshire)

Sicknote crackdown will hit 30,000 in Hampshire

7:04am Tuesday 20th November 2007 in

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A Government crackdown on benefits will hit more than 30,000 claimants acorss Hampshire, it has been revealed.

From October next year individuals applying for incapacity benefits will be asked to undertake a new test to establish what they are capable of doing, rather than simply having their disabilities measured, Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain said yesterday.

The new regime, which will initially cover only new claimants, will eventually be imposed on all those receiving incapacity support.

As of May this year there were more than 30,000 such people in south west Hampshire - including nearly 10,000 in Southampton.

The harder test will assess claimants' abilities to perform certain work-related tasks, such as using a computer keyboard and mouse.

Current tests on walking unaided and climbing steps will be scrapped.

Those deemed unable to work will be entitled to the new Employment and Support Allowance, while those considered to have some capacity to work will be required to show they are making efforts to find employment, or lose payments.