GPs to lose the power to sign people off work in crackdown on the UK's 'sick ... trends now
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GPs are to be stripped of their power to sign people off work, under plans for a crackdown on Britain's 'sick note culture'.
In a major speech today, Rishi Sunak will warn that a surge in people signed off sick with mental health conditions is placing 'unsustainable' pressure on the welfare budget.
The Prime Minister will say it is time to be 'more honest about the risk of over-medicalising the everyday challenges and worries of life'.
He will set out a vision of a 'new welfare settlement for Britain', in which people will be expected to work wherever possible, in return for assistance in tackling health conditions holding them back.
New figures this week revealed that the number of people considered 'economically inactive' after being placed on long term sickness benefits has jumped by a third since the start of the pandemic and now stands at a staggering 2.8 million.
New figures this week revealed that the number of people considered 'economically inactive' after being placed on long term sickness benefits has jumped by a third since the start of the pandemic (Stock Image)
Around half are signed off with depression, anxiety and bad nerves.
The Prime Minister will also highlight figures showing that GPs issue so-called 'fit notes' to 94 per cent of those who ask for them, with more than 11 million doled out last year.
And he will unveil plans to end the role of GPs in the system. In
