44% of capability assessments led to benefit loss

The Island’s Council for Voluntary Organisations says it’s keeping an eye on the numbers of people being switched from sickness to unemployment benefits.

Last week, Chief Minister Allan Bell said people being found fit for work were partly responsible for a sharp rise in December’s unemployment figures.

It’s since emerged around 44 per cent of capability assessments result in people losing their incapacity benefit and disability living allowance.

David Gawne, the vice-chair of the CVO, says the figure isn’t deeply concerning but it is something his organisation is monitoring: