A process starts from today, concluding according to Government estimates by 2014, which will involve an estimated 76,000 Merseysiders who receive incapacity benefit being assessed for fitness to work from today. The system will involve a test in which a score of more than 15 points will be needed to continue to receive benefits. It seems that seriously disabled and terminally-ill claimants will not be expected to find work.
Breaking down the overall figure above for Merseyside, the figures are :-
- Just under 30,000 for Liverpool
- Just over 15,000 for Wirral
- 12,220 for Sefton
- 9870 in Knowlsey
- 9,430 in St, Helens
The tests will apparently assess capability to walk, stand and sit, bend and kneel and reach, including being able to pick up a coin from the floor.