Benefit changes 'welcome' says MP

Hutton unveils benefits shake-up

An MP whose constituency is in the UK's top 10 for receiving incapacity benefit said proposed changes will be welcomed.

Tony Blair has defended proposals to force some people on incapacity benefit to take part in back-to-work schemes.

The government wants to find jobs for a million on incapacity benefit over the next decade.

At present, 203,000 people in Wales claim but the total classed as economically inactive is 437,000, a quarter of the working age population.

Under the proposed changes, those judged more severely disabled would be given a higher rate of benefit and would have no obligation to look for work.

Welsh areas in top 10 highest claimants 2nd - Merthyr Tydfil 3rd - Blaenau Gwent 5th - Neath Port Talbot 6th - Rhondda Cynon Taff 8th - Caerphilly

South Wales has a high proportion of claimants - in Merthyr Tydfil, it is one in five people of working age.

Caerphilly MP Wayne David said people were "quite genuinely" on incapacity benefit but many wanted to get back to work if possible.

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales on Tuesday, Mr David said he thought the government's plans were "about helping these people back into work".

"It's undoubtedly the case that there's a carry on from the legacy of heavy industry in Wales," he said.

"Wales has suffered because of heavy industry. Inevitably that's why so many people are on incapacity benefit.

"There's no doubt that people on incapacity benefit are on it quite genuinely and that applies to the vast majority of people.

"But it's also the case that nine out of 10 people on incapacity benefit want to get back to work."

If you refuse to do it, it looks like they can stop your money altogether Peter Mears

Mr David also claimed benefit recipients would think the idea was "excellent".

"For a long time these people have just been forgotten about. The government is saying very clearly, we're on your side, we want to assist you getting back to work."

Peter Mears from Merthyr Tydfil has received the benefit since having a stroke 10 years ago. He takes medication which makes him drowsy.

But, the proposed changes to the system worry him.

"It looks like you have got to do it - if you refuse to do it, it looks like they can stop your money altogether," he said.

"They say that you can come off (incapacity benefit) and go for an interview for a job. If you are on any powerful medication which makes you drowsy, they don't want to know.

"If it becomes, say, you have got to do this or we'll stop your money, and I go [for a job] and they say you can't work for us because you're on medication, it's a Catch-22 situation."