One in three on benefits ‘fit to work’

MORE than a third of Oldham’s sickness-benefit claimants are being assessed as fit to work.

All people claiming incapacity benefit are being assessed and placed in one of three categories: fit to work now, cannot work, or possibly could work in the future with support.

Of the 2,060 claimants assessed across the borough, 760 have been told they are fit to work and moved to job-seeker’s allowance.

A further 880 (42 per cent) have been placed in a work-related activity group, which means they will receive employment and support allowance (ESA) — which replaces incapacity benefit. IN time, with support, they may be able to work. The remaining 430 (21 per cent) were assessed as not able to work.

The claimants were assessed between the beginning of last year and February this year and many more will be assessed in the coming months, or have been assessed since the data was collated.


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