More than one third of people going through Incapacity Benefit reassessment have been found to be fit for work, according to the first set of official statistics released today.
Figures for the first 141,100 Incapacity Benefit claimants to start the reassessment process show 37% of those whose claims have been concluded have been deemed fit for work.
The remaining 63% of claimants were entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA):
Just over a third (34%) were placed in the Work Related Activity Group, where they will receive personalised help and support to help them prepare for a move into suitable work in the future.
Twenty nine per cent were placed in the Support Group and will receive unconditional financial support and will not be expected to work.
Employment Minister Chris Grayling justified the removal of benefits from 37%, saying: "To have such a high percentage who are fit for work just emphasises what a complete waste of human lives the current system has been.
"We know that for many it will be a long haul back to work but it's much better to help them on the journey than to leave them on benefits for the rest of their lives."
About 1.5million Incapacity Benefit claimants are being reassessed and will either be moved on to ESA or found fit to work as part of the Government's reform of the welfare system.
The statistics do not include information on appeals which claimants are entitled to lodge.
