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Work Programme

I share the right hon. Gentleman’s view. People on long-term sickness benefits are not, and should not be characterised as, scroungers. There are many people for whom life has gone badly wrong, and who are not able to continue their previous career, but who could, with the right help, do something else. I accept also that the assessment system that we inherited 18 months ago was not fully fit for purpose. That is why I commissioned Professor Malcolm Harrington to review the way the work was being carried out, and to make recommendations about how we could improve the situation. We implemented all Professor Harrington’s recommendations in time for the start of the national roll-out of the incapacity benefit reassessment earlier in the year. He is about to produce his second report for us. It is my desire and goal to ensure that the system is as fair and accurate as it can possibly be. I do not want to try to force people who cannot work into work, but I want to challenge many people who may think that they cannot work to believe that they can do something more with their lives. I think that the right hon. Gentleman and I share that aspiration, and I certainly share it with the groups who represent the individuals in question. The issue is one of finding the right balance, and I assure the right hon. Gentleman that we shall do all we can to find it.