'Bloated' obesity benefits bill near doubles to £29m

THE TOTAL amount of benefits paid to obese people to help with their living costs has almost doubled over the past four years.

- By Matthew Davis

There were more than 4,000 people claiming Personal Independence Payments because they were classified as obese, latest Department of Work and Pensions figures show.

Four years ago just 2,852 adults claimed PIP for being seriously over-weight. By the start of this year it had soared to 4,131.

The average claimant with obesity was being paid almost £135 per week - annual tax-free benefits of £7,014, costing the taxpayer £29million.