15 June 1993

John Major says it “beggars belief that so many more people have suddenly become invalids”, laying the foundations for the upcoming Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Bill.

What: Then Prime Minister John Major tells the Commons that spending on invalidity benefit has risen from £1.5 billion to more than £6 billion in 10 years. He says: “No responsible Government could ignore an increase of that order. We have a duty to consider whether all that taxpayers’ money is being wisely spent.. … Frankly, it beggars belief that so many more people have suddenly become invalids, especially at a time when the health of the population has improved. I make no apologies for looking at this area of expenditure.”

Why significant: This sets the scene for the upcoming Social Security (Incapacity for Work) Bill [see 20^th January 1994].