Thousands on disability benefits to lose extra £5,000 a year in autumn statement

An estimated 370,000 people will be ineligible for incapacity benefits and forced to look for work, Jeremy Hunt announces

An estimated 370,000 people with disabilities and chronic health conditions will be ineligible for incapacity benefits worth an extra £5,000 a year and forced to look for work under planned reforms unveiled by the chancellor in the autumn statement.

Jeremy Hunt, who came under fire from disability charities and campaigners over the proposed changes, said the measures, coupled with investment in health and skills support, were “right economically and right morally” and would make it easier for disabled people who wanted to work to get a job.