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Work Programme

The Minister said earlier that, where possible, he would like people who have been on long-term sickness benefits to go back into work. We would all agree with that, but I urge on him the need for great sensitivity. All our offices are inundated with people who are now subject to the relevant checks and appeals, and many of them will not be able to go into any kind of work. I urge on him the need for sensitivity in practice. There is an idea in the tabloid press that if people are not in work they are scroungers; that is unacceptable.