Fit for Work

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Documentaries

Factual

02/06/2023

How government attempts to get disabled people into work had tragic consequences.

For 30 years, governments have tried to get disabled people into work by toughening up benefit rules. It's had tragic consequences, as many claimants have taken their own lives.

For 30 years, governments have tried to get disabled people into work by toughening up benefit rules.  Part of the motivation has been to cut the welfare bill, but it's also been framed as an attempt to stop the disabled "languishing" on benefits. But the policy has had tragic consequences, particularly for people with mental illness, who have felt coerced and pressured, as the department for work and pensions has deemed them fit for work. Many - probably hundreds - have taken their own lives.

According to a former chief economist at the DWP, "it's one of the biggest social policy failures, of the last 20 or 30 years. We caused an enormous amount of human suffering. We achieved very little, we didn't save any money and it probably cost more than it would have if we hadn't done anything".

In this series Jolyon Jenkins investigates how the policy came about, starting under the government of John Major, which turned for advice to an American private insurance company that became notorious for unlawfully denying the legitimate claims of policyholders in the US.

BBC Radio 4 FM

Fit for Work: 09/06/2023

09/06/2023

BBC Radio 4 - Fit for Work, 09/06/2023

Despite mounting evidence that the FIt for Work test was failing and leading to suicides, governments of both main parties pressed ahead with it, expanding the scheme dramatically.

For 30 years, governments have tried to get disabled people into work by toughening up benefit rules. Part of the motivation has been to cut the welfare bill, but it's also been framed as an attempt to stop disabled  people "languishing" on benefits. 

But the policy has had tragic consequences, particularly for people with mental illness, who have felt coerced and pressured, as the department for work and pensions has deemed them fit for work. Many - maybe hundreds - have taken their own lives.

Jolyon Jenkins investigates how the policy came about. In this episode, he looks at how, despite evidence that the Fit for Work test was failing, governments of both main parties ignored official warnings and pressed ahead with it, expanding the scheme dramatically. 

Producer: Jolyon Jenkins
An Off Beat Media production for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Fit for Work

09/06/2023

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4