Tens of thousands of people claiming the main benefit for long-term sickness will no longer face repeated medical assessments to keep their payments. Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green said it was pointless to re-test recipients of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with severe conditions and no prospect of getting better.

More than two million people receive ESA, which is worth up to £109 a week and the move has been welcomed by charities supporting those with severe illness. Michelle Mitchell, head of the MS Society, described it as a "victory for common sense".

Comment

Employers should take note of this announcement as it may affect any workers they have on long-term sickness. It will mean that it is more likely people will remain on long-term sickness without the worry of being constantly tested and, therefore, workers may be more amenable to going on to ESA benefits. However, the devil will be in the detail, for example how the government will deal with mental health conditions is unclear.

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