Get some exercise – and off Incapacity benefits
THOUSANDS of residents claiming incapacity benefit in Plymouth are being urged by ministers to take more exercise which could help them back into work and save taxpayer cash.
Health Secretary Andy Burnham says that millions of pounds could be shaved off the hefty benefit bill if just a fraction of claimants were more active and had a job.
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Andy-Burnham
Government figures show that there are nearly 20,000 people receive the benefit across the Plymouth area, at a cost of £53 million.
It is estimated more than a third of those on the benefit are claiming it for mental health problems or muscular or skeletal disorders.
Mr Burnham said these were conditions that were known to respond well to exercise, which could lead to significant savings for the economy.
His comment came as he announced a wider initiative to get people generally more active and take up healthy pursuits such as swimming and cycling.
He said: "In England, if we can get just one per cent of people on incapacity benefit back into the workplace through active lifestyles, this would save the Exchequer £36million and industry £31million – that's a combined cost to the economy of £67million a year."
The NHS spends £3,000 every second on treating illnesses – such as Type 2 diabetes – which is linked to obesity and could be prevented by people taking more exercise.
Official data shows that annually £17.3million was paid in incapacity benefit to 6,280 claimants in the constituency of Plymouth Devonport, and £14.6million to 6,160 people in Plymouth Sutton.
A further £12.2 million was paid out to around 4,000 claimants in South East Cornwall, and nearly £9 million to 2,680 people in South West Devon.
The Government has previously unveiled plans aimed at ending the nation's "sicknote culture".
These included a new medical exam aimed at cutting the number of people on sickness-related benefits by assessing in the future what they can do, rather than what they cannot.
The Government said the reforms would return hundreds of thousands of claimants back to work.
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham said he wanted to ensure that active lifestyles are seen as an intrinsic part of 21st century health, with the NHS taking a lead role.
Britain is currently in 21st place in Europe on activity levels.
Mr Burnham said: "Promoting active lifestyles is the simple answer to many of the big challenges facing our country today.
"It can save us money and ease the burden on public services. The NHS has the green light to be bold and creative to help people to be fitter and more healthy."
Current health initiatives include offering free swimming to youngsters and pensioners.
55 Comments
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by sick of people, misery
Saturday, August 15 2009, 8:39PM
“I suffer from quite a few mental illnesses,and im sick to death about idiots like that clown burnham, and idiots like him,saying exercise and work are the answer to all illnesses.Dont you think if that was the answer ,everybody with a mental illness would do it.The thing people get wrong is to think mental illnesses are a mental pain when the truth is that it is a very physical pain also,but because you cant see mental illness, you think everybody with it is benefeting from the welfare state without being ill.Alot of people have already been abused enough in life without having to come on here and be abused by idiots who if they experienced the illnesses some people have to live with would soon change their tune.”
by Kev, Fit and healthy and NOT Claiming
Saturday, August 15 2009, 2:33AM
“A few of the claimants receiving incapacity benefit for bad backs (yawwwn zzzz) that I know certianly have no problems making their way to the club each day to down a few beers.”
by annoyed, efford plymouth
Friday, August 14 2009, 9:25PM
“It does make people angry, the scams are handed down to generation after another. the laughable thing is the benefit system know the actors,know the scroungers and the liars, but still let them get away with it. trouble with many that we have self respect and pride. It sfast becoming the worse you are as a person the better off you are and all kinds of money help floods your way. Its the hard working class who are being made fools off. I also know of people receiving benefits of up to £300 a week. the average earner if you are lucky lives on £200 per week and no help to pay all bills. So either wages go up or benefits come down to save this country a lot of money. I end my case.”
by Richard, Devon
Friday, August 14 2009, 8:49PM
“As Disability Living Allowance is not means tested, it is by far the most abused benefit of the lot. It isa disgrace that many claimants with relatively minor conditions can claim this benefit even though they may be earning a decent salary. One doesn't need to be off work to claim DLA.
Just google 'DLA forum' and you'll find many such examples. The government could save billions by cracking down on this area alone.”
by Pie Face, Plymouth
Friday, August 14 2009, 8:29PM
“He'll be looking a bit less chubby and will have even more time to spend at the gym come the election when this bunch of hypoctites are voted out.
How many MPs will be signing on after the next election?
We all can't get jobs doing whatever the Party whips tell us to do for £64K a year you know!
If Burnham puts on anymore pounds he'll be able to get work as a Robert Smith lookalike!”
by Sydney, Ivybridge
Friday, August 14 2009, 7:34PM
“Where's the problem with claiming. I get a car, got a bit of a bad back. They tax, insure and maintain it. Diesel it is so cheap to run.
I'm better off on benefits than working in some crummy job. Leave some youngster with the chance”
by Worker, Plymouth
Friday, August 14 2009, 7:16PM
“Surely 'some' people who are on incapacity benefits can do some kind of work? If they can sit at a computer and write comments on here, then they surely can work from home via computer?
Of course there are genuine cases of disability and I would be the first to agree with them that it is impossible for them to work.
What about the other scroungers? I've got a 'friend' who has told me that they can't work for less than 30'000 per year because they get so much on benefits!!!!
The worst job in the world must be working in the job center....seeing those scroungers week after week!!!”
by Do 1 Burnham!, UK - Home to fraudulent MPs!
Friday, August 14 2009, 7:10PM
“MPs have no moral authority due to their expenses.
They were cleaning it up? By passing legislation that means that they can only get 1 year for fraud if caught fiddling their expenses again in the future.
When you've sorted out the expenses you can breach like Blair, until then shut your face!”
by M, Plymouth
Friday, August 14 2009, 7:08PM
“Enough of them do! But let's please not forget those who genuinely have a disability, and get lumped in with the other lot.
If this system, the police force, and the NHS was run by anyone other than a beaurocrat it would all work.
Beaurocracy is the cancer that is slowly killing Britain.”
by John, Plymouth
Friday, August 14 2009, 6:57PM
“Also how many of these lazy scroungers have gone bankcrupt and had their debts paid off too? Time for a change of government.”