[news] Britain: Conservatives Promise More Attacks on People With Disabilities

[Mostly Water - "Canadian" and International alternative news feed]

Tory leader vows to quit paying able-bodied Britons not to work

Sunday, January 06, 2008 - Reuters Via _The Province_  
[http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=3a51fd4...][1]

The conservative party's leader pledged yesterday to end what he called Britain's "Something-for-nothing" culture, accusing the labour government of wasting taxpayers' money by paying out benefits to people who are able to work.

David Cameron, in an article for today's _News of the World_, said a Conservative government would tighten the system to protect against abuse: "Far too many are able to work but simply don't. We all know there are jobs available. That's a disgrace."

In plans to be detailed later in the week, the poll-leading Conservatives will promise to take 200,000 people off incapacity benefit and into work.

Every one of the 2.64 million people who receive incapacity benefit will be immediately reassessed by doctors, under the Tories' plans. People confirmed as too ill to work will continue to be paid full benefits but will be reassessed at regular intervals.

Those deemed fit to work will have their benefits cut by about $40 a week.

"There will be regular assessments of abilities, with unconditional help for those who genuinely cannot work, tailored support for those who can do some work or training, and a complete withdrawal of [incapacity benefit] for those who can work and should be working," Cameron wrote.

He said four out of five jobs in Britain go to foreign workers because Britons are not taking them.

© The Vancouver Province 2008  
  


    [1]: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=3a51fd45-87ab-4853-a099-a5d1fd08d614 (http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=3a51fd45-87ab-4853-a099-a5d1fd08d614)

URL: http://mostlywater.org/britain_conservatives_promise_more_attacks_people_disabilities