ONCE again, I feel I must write to the BEN to register my "disgust" at the Government's further attack on the sick/disabled, who are on Incapacity Benefit (whom I am one) with the "proposals" outlined by the Minister concerned, Alistair Darling.

Excuse -- 70 per cent (I quote Mr Darling) of people on Incapacity Benefit could/can work -- measures will now be taken to introduce "medicals" every three years to determine if a person can work.

Real Reason -- Costing £7 billion (Incapacity Benefit payments in a year). Let's hit the most vulnerable/weak/ill people again to save money.

Didn't they bring out legislation similar to this after the previous General Election? Of course, was there any mention of this "before" the latest election? -- I think not.

When will Mr Darling get it into his head that people on Incapacity Benefit already get subjected to BAMS medicals/examinations etc which, as I am sure he knows, are there to "weed out" these fraudsters that we all know exist.

Finally, three year medicals? Where on earth did he pluck this figure from and has he not forgotten about the regular MOTs. Whoops, sorry, IB50, which are issued already on a regular basis? I think not.

This is just a ploy to recoup the extra paid out in Incapacity Benefits.

I hope our three Bolton MPs will oppose this, or at least distance themselves from it.

Would Work If I Could

(Name and address supplied)