the Dept of Work and Pensions is to force ppl on incapacity benefit, remember these are disabled folk, to attend six interviews, one a month, or lose benefit.

however, remember it may just be New Labour kite fying, but to be fore-warened is to be prepared.

New check on incapacity benefit claimants

Nicholas Watt, political correspondent
Tuesday November 19, 2002
The Guardian

Hundreds of thousands of people on incapacity benefit are to be forced to attend a monthly interview to assess whether they are fit for work, or risk losing 20% of their benefit.

The tough new system, an attempt to reduce the 2.7 million people claiming incapacity benefit, was unveiled by the work and pensions secretary, Andrew Smith, and will be introduced next year.

New claimants will face up to six "work focused interviews" in the first six months of moving on to incapacity benefit.

If they do not turn up, their benefit will be cut by 20%.

To encourage claimants, a new credit is being established for anyone who returns to work. This will be worth £40 a week for anyone earning less than £15,000 a year.

Former claimants will also be able to apply for a £300 grant to help them get back to work - this could be to buy a suit, a bus pass or pay for a tattoo to be removed.

Mr Smith said people with the "most severe conditions" would be exempted. The scheme will initially apply to between 50,000 and 60,000 people in six pilot areas.

Mr Smith outlined the scheme as he announced the annual rise in benefits. Single pensioners will see their pensions rise by £100 a year from next April, while couples will be given a £160 rise.