900,000 choose to come off sickness benefit ahead of tests

[arista]

Wonder why

900,000 choose to come off sickness benefit ahead of tests
Nearly 900,000 people who were on incapacity benefit dropped their claim to the payments rather than undergo a tough medical test, latest government figures show.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9963012/900000-choose-to-come-off-sickness-benefit-ahead-of-tests.html


13 Wrong years of New Labour

[joeysteele]

Poeple were claiming IB long before Labour came to power in 1997.

Really good if people wwho are not entitled to benefits come off them, I have not the slightest problem with Govts rooting out people who are claiming that shouldn't be.
They are however and will remain, a minority of people who do so, the vast majority will be entitled to them and will be claiming correctly, maybe even not claiming enough as to some.
Just as you have Companies and the richer UK citizens avoiding paying all their due taxes.

I try to look at both sides not setting out as to demonising one over the other.

I have though enjoyed our debating today arista, although we are on opposing sides at present as to these issues, I still respect your view and dedication obviously.

[arista]

"long before New Labour came "

Yes Joey
but 13 years of a New Labour was a Stink.
And Before 1979 that Labour was a Utter Stink.



"we are on opposing sides at present "

We may not be.

[Vicky.]

I hope the member on DS whos quote this is doesnt mind me putting it here. But they say it much better than I could.

Another desperate effort and a story that is totally untrue. Only the most small-minded, ignorant person could fall for this.

The story starts with this blatant lie:

" Nearly 900,000 people who were on incapacity benefit dropped their claim to the payments rather than undergo a tough medical test, latest government figures show. "

The actual figures can be read here:
http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.php?page=esa_ibr

They show that 566,800 assessments had been completed and 41% had gone to the Support Group, 27% to the WRAG and 32% were "fit for work". A further 36,900 assessments had not been completed, of which 19,700 were closed before assessment.

The figures that the Telegraph has dishonestly used relate to initial ESA claims, not to Incapacity Benefit.

These "latest" figures are actually 2 months old so the Telegraph are rather slow on the uptake.

The figures do not take into account the effect of successful appeals, which are running at 42%.

It is also a blatant lie to claim that these people dropped their claim rather than face a medical.

Anyone with a modicum of basic common sense would realise what the DWP's actual research confirms, ie:


the department has published research that investigated why some new ESA claims closed before assessment. It found that:

“An important reason why ESA claims in this sample were withdrawn or closed before they were fully assessed was because the person recovered and either returned to work, or claimed a benefit more appropriate to their situation.”
So the Telegraph has quoted the incorrect benefit as well as lying about why claims were closed before the assessment process was completed. Typical shoddy journalism of the gutter press.


http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showpost.php?p=65091278&postcount=17

I knew I was right to doubt these figures.

[Kizzy]

Of course it's spin, it's like saying the jobless total has fallen when they have poor shmucks on work (un)fare for 3 weeks.

[joeysteele]

Very well done Vicky. Puts a totally different perspective to the issue doesn't it.

[Omah]

I hope the member on DS whos quote this is doesnt mind me putting it here. But they say it much better than I could.

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showpost.php?p=65091278&postcount=17

I knew I was right to doubt these figures.

Thanks for obtaining the link ..... :thumbs:

I'm amazed that anyone took that figure at face value ..... :amazed:

But then, not everyone has worked or had experience in a particular sector - I've worked for the DWP on DLA claims so I have some insight ..... ;)

[Kizzy]

The twitter robot works for the DWP?...

[Omah]

The twitter robot works for the DWP?...

If you're making a personal observation about me, please be brave and be more explicit ..... :pipe:

[Jack_]

:pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe:

[Omah]

:pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe:

How Bwave ..... :flowers:

[Kizzy]

:pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe: :pipe:

cute jack, any input into the thread? it is still serious debates.

[Jack_]

Oh come off it, I'm not having a serious debate while everybody's anonymous...be serious. Lighten up for a second

[Kizzy]

Oh come off it, I'm not having a serious debate while everybody's anonymous...be serious. Lighten up for a second

You're not anonymous though...
why hijack every thread? :idc:

[Omah]

Oh come off it, I'm not having a serious debate while everybody's anonymous...be serious. Lighten up for a second

Erm, you're NOT anonymous ..... :laugh3:

[Jack_]

Hang on a second, I'm hijacking this thread when you were the first one to enter this thread and post an off-topic 'the Twitter Robot works for the DWP'?

Funny that. Double standards...

[Jack_]

Erm, you're NOT anonymous ..... :laugh3:

har har SO FUNNY OMAH x :laugh3:

except everyone is until you press the quote button

And let's be honest, when the rest of the forum is having a little bit of lighthearted fun with this April Fools Day joke, you really expect people to be having a serious debate? Can we not just...lighten up...for an hour...

[Omah]

har har SO FUNNY OMAH x :laugh3:

except everyone is until you press the quote button

And let's be honest, when the rest of the forum is having a little bit of lighthearted fun with this April Fools Day joke, you really expect people to be having a serious debate? Can we not just...lighten up...for an hour...

Regrettably, I don't find you at all funny ..... just rather sad for following me around and making personal "observations" ..... :nono:

[Kizzy]

I didn't know what was going on then did I? :joker:

[arista]

har har SO FUNNY OMAH x :laugh3:

except everyone is until you press the quote button

And let's be honest, when the rest of the forum is having a little bit of lighthearted fun with this April Fools Day joke, you really expect people to be having a serious debate? Can we not just...lighten up...for an hour...


Jack this section is not like the others
Deal with it .