Overweight Britons claim millions in benefits

Published on Wednesday 4 March 2009 21:18

THE obesity crisis hitting the UK is not only costing the NHS millions of pounds – the benefits system is also being affected by bulging waistlines.

Figures reveal that more than 2,000 Britons are claiming benefits because they are too fat to work.

Data shows that, as of last August, 2,130 Britons were receiving Incapacity Benefit after being diagnosed obese.

The figures, obtained by the Conservative Party in a parliamentary question, suggest these claimants could be costing taxpayers up to 9.4 million a year in welfare payments.

James Clappison, the shadow work and pensions minister, said obesity was a "ticking time bomb" which had detrimental effects on the economy as well as on individuals' health.

Almost one in four adults is now estimated to be classified as obese, but experts fear this could rise to one in three in just a few years.

In Scotland, the SNP government is taking a range of measures to tackle the problem, including campaigns to encourage people to eat more healthier and take part in more physical activity.