GETTING disabled people off benefits and back to work sounds like a sound piece of Government thinking. But the key to success here is for a realistic appraisal of individual disabilities, and an assurance that no one will lose out financially.

Certainly, when the pilot scheme takes off in Bolton - one of 12 areas targeted nationally - it is to be hoped that the desire to get the basically able-bodied off benefits does not cloud the reality of the truly disabled.

It is important that disabled people be allowed to work, to tap into a valuable manpower resource and for individual self-esteem. Removing disincentives to work, grants, payments and permission for unpaid voluntary work for more than 16 hours a week are all further positive weapons in the Government's armoury of benefits' reform.

As Social Security Secretary Harriet Harman states, it proves that "consigning people to a lifetime on benefits has gone forever".

It would be sad indeed, however, if this bold scheme ever had the effect of forcing work on those physically unable to cope. Hopefully, far more likely is a higher profile for the many disabled people who want a job, and a better attitude towards them from prospective employers.

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