Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said doctors could be stripped of their power to sign people off work in a bid to tackle increasing long-term sickness in the UK.
“We don't just need to change the sick note, we need to change the sick note culture so the default becomes what work you can do - not what you can't,” he said in a speech.
Unspecified specialists would be given the task of issuing sick notes under the move, with Sunak claiming benefits had become a “lifestyle choice” for some.
ONS data this week showed over 2.8 million people were economically inactive in the UK due to long-term sickness - the highest number since records began.
This was cited as the most common reason among the 9.4 million people neither in nor looking for work.
Sunak said on Friday that a “worrying” number of those out of work due to sickness were of younger generations.
“There's nothing compassionate about leaving a generation of young people to sit alone in the dark before a flickering screen watching as their dreams slip further from reach,” he said.
Not acting would be "irresponsible" given the current £17.6 billion personal independence payments bill is forecast to rise by more than 50% over the coming four years, he argued.
Sunak also laid out plans to toughen up benefit requirements, such as making those who work less than half of the full-time week seek extra jobs, alongside scrapping payments for those who turn down roles.
A review of mental health payments will be launched too, according to Sunak, with the view of requiring further medical evidence to substantiate claims.
“I want to be completely clear about what I’m saying here,” Sunak said.
“This is not about making the welfare system less generous to people who face very real extra costs from mental health conditions.
“For those with the greatest needs, we actually want to make it easier to access, with fewer requirements.”