Menu
13/08/2009
People On Sick 'Must Become More Active'
The Health Secretary has called for people on incapacity benefit to take more exercise in order to help them back into employment.
Andy Burnham believes the country could save millions If just 1% of those on the benefit were to take-up a more active lifestyle.
He said: "In England, if we can get just 1% of people on incapacity benefit back into the workplace through active lifestyles, this would save the Exchequer £36m and industry £31m - that's a combined cost to the economy of £67m a year."
More than a third of those claiming for incapacity benefits have mental health problems or muscular or skeletal disorders.
The Health Secretary said these were conditions that were known to respond well to exercise.
Mr Burnham's comments came as part of the government's Change4Life public health drive launched to help people become more active.
According to the NHS £3,000 is spent every second treating illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes which could be prevented by people doing more exercise.
You are up to 50% less likely to be at risk of major chronic disease such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer if you take regular exercise.
Britain is one of the least active nations in Europe.
(GK/BMcC)
Andy Burnham believes the country could save millions If just 1% of those on the benefit were to take-up a more active lifestyle.
He said: "In England, if we can get just 1% of people on incapacity benefit back into the workplace through active lifestyles, this would save the Exchequer £36m and industry £31m - that's a combined cost to the economy of £67m a year."
More than a third of those claiming for incapacity benefits have mental health problems or muscular or skeletal disorders.
The Health Secretary said these were conditions that were known to respond well to exercise.
Mr Burnham's comments came as part of the government's Change4Life public health drive launched to help people become more active.
According to the NHS £3,000 is spent every second treating illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes which could be prevented by people doing more exercise.
You are up to 50% less likely to be at risk of major chronic disease such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer if you take regular exercise.
Britain is one of the least active nations in Europe.
(GK/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
03 January 2013
Benefit Cuts For People Who Refuse Exercise
Under new proposals published today obese and other unhealthy people could be monitored to check whether they are taking exercise and have their benefits cut if they fail to do so.
Benefit Cuts For People Who Refuse Exercise
Under new proposals published today obese and other unhealthy people could be monitored to check whether they are taking exercise and have their benefits cut if they fail to do so.
30 October 2006
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
Campaign to crack down on benefit cheats launched
The government has launched a campaign which aims to crack down on benefit cheats. The 'No Ifs, No Buts' campaign stresses the message that there are no excuses for committing benefit fraud. It is estimated that almost £1 billion was lost last year through benefit fraud, compared to £2 billion in 2001.
21 July 2008
Benefit Claimants Could Be Forced To Work
Benefit claimants could be forced into community work under new UK Government plans to get millions of the unemployed back to work. The Welfare Green Paper is expected to include proposals to force those unemployed for more than two years to work within the community.
Benefit Claimants Could Be Forced To Work
Benefit claimants could be forced into community work under new UK Government plans to get millions of the unemployed back to work. The Welfare Green Paper is expected to include proposals to force those unemployed for more than two years to work within the community.
31 August 2004
Vulnerable people living at home get funding boost
Vulnerable people seeking to live independent lives have been boosted by the news that the government has announced a funding package of £5 billion over the next three years. The three-year settlement will provide crucial housing-related support to vulnerable people, including home visits, alarm systems and advice on accessing benefit entitlements.
Vulnerable people living at home get funding boost
Vulnerable people seeking to live independent lives have been boosted by the news that the government has announced a funding package of £5 billion over the next three years. The three-year settlement will provide crucial housing-related support to vulnerable people, including home visits, alarm systems and advice on accessing benefit entitlements.
01 November 2011
UK Better Prepared For Flooding
England and Wales are now better prepared than ever to respond to major flooding, says an independent report published today. The report issued by the Department for Regional Development, surveyed 10,000 people for Britain’s biggest civil emergency exercise, Exercise Watermark, last March to test the country’s response to floods.
UK Better Prepared For Flooding
England and Wales are now better prepared than ever to respond to major flooding, says an independent report published today. The report issued by the Department for Regional Development, surveyed 10,000 people for Britain’s biggest civil emergency exercise, Exercise Watermark, last March to test the country’s response to floods.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
