Government has failed to help disabled return to work

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 30th Nov 2007

Commenting on the new tests for gaining Incapacity Benefit announced by the Government today, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander MP said:

"This new assessment method is an improvement in some ways, though there are still real worries about whether it properly takes into account the effects of mental health conditions.

"Since Gordon Brown became Prime Minister, the Government has abandoned serious welfare reform and now seems to be returning to the old rhetoric of demonising disabled people. After 10 years of this Government, it is utterly shameful that there are still 2.7 million people on incapacity benefit when half of those people say they want to work.

"If Labour was serious about helping people back into work, it would have embraced David Freud's reforms. We need a much simpler benefits system and more investment, with support tailored to the needs of individuals. Radical change is needed - but this Government is clearly incapable of delivering it"