Tests to reduce £135bn sick bill

The first phase of the government's "radical" welfare reform programme starts today with benefit claimants reassessed for their ability to work.

The move comes as new figures showed almost 135 billion had been spent over the past decade keeping two million people "on the sick".

Long-term incapacity benefit claimants in Aberdeen and Burnley will be the first to undergo a new test to see if they are fit for work.

Ministers said the reassessment was designed to end the one-size-fits all approach to those with health conditions and disabilities which has led to 2.1m being "trapped" on benefits.