Too spotty or fat to work??

New disability test to get tough on claimants that are too SPOTTY or FAT to work

By KIRSTY WALKER - More by this author » Last updated at 08:04am on 19th November 2007 Comments (43)

A new disability test in a bid to end Britain's "sicknote culture" will be unveiled today, Work and Pension Secretary Peter Hain said.

Hain's announcement follows a report claiming taxpayers are handing millions of pounds to benefit claimants who say they are too fat, tired or spotty to go to work.

The extraordinary excuses for not holding down a job appear on a list of 480 complaints used to claim £7.5 billion of public money.

It revealed millions of pounds were handed out to cover ailments including acne, alcoholism, drug addiction and even "nail disorders".

Scroll down for more...

Having acne is one of the reasons given by those who say they cannot work to claim benefits

Last night critics said the figures proved work-shy Britons were "taking advantage" of the system.

The statistics, obtained using Freedom of Information laws, show 2.7million Britons are saying they are too ill to work.

While many are claiming money for serious illnesses and diseases, the list also reveals the full extent to which the country's sicknote culture is costing the taxpayer.

Some 2,000 complain of obesity and claim a total of £4.4million.

Another 1,100 suffer from sleep disorders and claim £2.3million, while 50 with acne collect around £100,000.

Some 50,000 are pocketing £123million for stress, while the 8,100 suffering from "dizziness and giddiness" claim £24million.

Around 4,000 claimants have headaches and 2,700 have migraines, costing the taxpayer a total of £17million.

The figures, which cover last year, also show 50,000 alcoholics were paid £85million not to work while 48,000 drug addicts received handouts totalling £45million.

Scroll down for more...

Amazingly, around £100,000 went to 60 people who complained of a "nail disorder".

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Taxpayers' Alliance pressure group, said: "There is a huge difference between not being able to work and not feeling like working.

"People taking advantage of the system should examine their consciences and find a job."

The new medical test, to be introduced in October next year alongside the new Employment and Support Allowance, will assess what an individual can do - rather than cannot do.

Everyone applying for the new allowance will have to take the test, and it is estimated half of those will not pass.

Hain said: "We know that many people want to work - work is good for you and your long-term well-being and we don't think it's right that in the past people were effectively written off. We want to work with people to get them back into jobs and help them stay there.

"Currently, there are many people sitting at home in the belief that they are unemployable, with no life choices or long-term prospects because they do not think their illness or medical conditions can be catered for in the workplace.

"But this is just not the case. Many people with such conditions are perfectly able to take up successful careers, if the right support is in place.

"That is why I have introduced the new assessment. It will not only accurately identify a person's physical and mental ability, it will offer advice on the type of help and support a person may need so that they can find sustainable work.

"But those who still qualify for Employment and Support Allowance following the new assessment will benefit from more help and more support than ever before."

Sleep disorders cost £2.3m a year in benefits for those who say they cannot work