https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/disability-benefits-back-firing-line

Ex-John Lewis boss calls for action against Britain’s ‘sick note culture’ as unions fear proposals target disabled

UNIONS raised fears over disabled people facing benefit cuts for not taking so-called “personal responsibility” to return to work today.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said that it has “real concerns about proposals that would impose conditionality on workers for health issues” following the publication of a major review on how to keep people in work.

Other unions stressed that bosses should be doing more to keep people with disabilities in jobs and “not simply sending them to the dole queues as shirking their responsibilities.”

Former John Lewis boss Sir Charlie Mayfield’s report urged a reduced reliance on GP sick notes amid an “enormous” cost to employers from ill health among workers.

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PCS general secretary Fran Heathcote said: “We all want to tackle workplace ill-health and there are some interesting proposals which now require wider consultation — not just with employers but vitally with trade unions representing workers, and those who claim benefits.

“We have real concerns about proposals that would impose conditionality on workers for health issues.

“Rising ill-health in the UK has coincided with lengthening NHS waiting lists, a worsening housing crisis and a rise in poverty. Tackling these issues will be essential to improving public health.

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https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/disability-benefits-back-firing-line