A controversial overhaul of incapacity benefits was launched on Monday by Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling.

Mr Grayling, who is Minister for Employment, launched the campaign to re-examine the cases of about 1.6m people in the UK, including 1,180 in his own constituency, who currently receive incapacity benefit.

Over the next three years the Work Capability Assessment scheme will be aimed at encouraging claimants to return to work - requiring each individual to go through a reassessment exercise, supporting their case with doctor’s evidence.

He said: “The thing that strikes you when you meet people who have spent long periods on benefits is that they have so much to offer, but that all too often they no longer know how to make use of those skills.

“For 13 years, as the economy grew and jobs were created around the country, most were filled by migrant workers, while at the highest point some 2.6 million people sat at home on incapacity benefits.

“From today we begin the process of trying to help those who can work to find the right opportunity for them.”

Jan Podsiadly, a spokesman for the Leatherhead-based charity Queen Elizabeth's Foundation for Disabled People, said that the reforms were “of cause for concern.”

He said: “I think any type of change is going to bring concern.

“The Government’s claim that there are lots of people illegally taking benefits is valid, but in reality the numbers are very small.

“The main thing is to ensure that vulnerble people still continue to be properly looked after in society.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Jonathan Lees, who stood as a parliamentary candidate at the last election, said: “The system is in need of review - at the moment it is too complicated.

“However I am wary because some people could end up missing out on vital support - that can’t be allowed to happen.”

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