Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said in response to reports of possible Incapacity Benefit changes:

"Those who are fit for work should be working or seeking work.

“Labour's reforms were due to get around a million people off sickness benefits and save around £1.5 billion from introducing a new medical test and reassessing current claimants. That test was worked on with doctors and disability groups, and was finding more people fit for work based on proper medical evidence. We have been urging the new government to complete the implementation of those reforms and hope they will do so.

"We would be very concerned if they were to rip up the new test and the medical evidence just to reach an arbitrary target for spending cuts - that would be deeply unfair."