Blunkett says depressed should get a job

A job will cure stress and depression much better than watching daytime TV, Cabinet Minister David Blunkett said.

Mr Blunkett faces the threat of a backbench revolt over plans to get many of the 2.7 million people on incapacity benefit back into work.

He insisted those who needed long-term care would be comfortably provided for. But he added: "If people will reconnect with life, getting out, that is volunteering, being able to re-associate with the world of work, suddenly they come alive again.

"That will overcome depression and stress a lot more than people sitting at home watching daytime television."

Mr Blunkett will set out eight principles behind his forthcoming reforms in Whitehall at lunchtime.

Tackling the high number of people on incapacity benefit (IB) was a first term priority for Tony Blair that never happened.

Labour's new, smaller majority means any suggestion that people are being forced back into work risks a Commons defeat this time around.

However, ministers are adamant that the number can be cut, citing research that shows nine out of 10 hope to return to work up to a year after signing on.

There are four times the number of people claiming IB than there were on invalidity benefit 25-30 years ago, Mr Blunkett said.

"Health has got better, medical science is improving by the day, technology has changed the nature of work so that people can work part-time," he said. "We have a situation where we can offer people liberation from dependence in a way that was never possible before."

Evening Standard 10 October 2005